Brainstem And Cranal Nerves Flashcards
Does dorsal column get modified in brainstem?
Yes. Axons synapse in nucleus gracilis or cuneatus (medulla); neurons cross midline to form medial lemniscus
Does spinothalamic tract get modified in brainstem?
Not modified
Does spinocerebellar tract get modified in brainstem?
Yes. Axons leave brainstem via inferior and superior cerebellar peduncles to enter cerebellum
Does the Trigeminal lemniscus get modified in the brainstem?
Yes. Neuron cell bodies located in main sensory nucleus and spinal nucleus of Trigeminal nerve cross the midline
Autonomic tracts modified in brainstem? SNS? PSNS?
SNS: not modified
PSNS: axons synapse with brainstem parasympathetic nuclei or continue through brainstem and cord to the sacral level of spinal cord
Does the corticospinal tract get modified in the brainstem?
Not modified.
Des the corticobulbar tract get modified in the brainstem?
Axons synapse with cranial nerve nuclei in the brainstem
Des the corticopontine tract get modified in the brainstem?
Axons synapse with nuclei in pons
Does the corticoreticular tract get modified in the brainstem?
Axons synapse with reticular formation
Inferior medulla structure? Spinothalamic tract position? Dorsal column fibers synapse where? What cranial nerve synapses here?
Structure continuous with spinal cord (central canal)
Spinothalamic tract maintains anterolateral position
Dorsal column fibers synapse with fasciculus cuneatus and gracilis then cross at medial lemniscus and ascend posteriorly
Cranial nerve V synapses here (Trigeminal)
Upper medulla central canal widens to form?
The 4th ventricle
Cranial nerve nuclei located dorsally in the upper medulla?
XII - hypoglossal X (motor); X (sensory) - vagus VII - facial IX - glossopharyngeal VIII - vestibulocochlear
listed medial to lateral
Nucleus ambiguus located anteriorly in the upper medulla output and input?
Output: motor supply to cranial nerves IX and X
Input: bilateral corticobulbar tracts
Cochlear and vestibular nuclei in upper medulla receive input via?
Receive input via cranial nerve VIII. Input is auditory and vestibular information
Inferior olive nucleus of upper medulla input? Output? Communicates with cerebellum using what tract?
Input: motor areas of brain and spinal cord
Output: signals cerebellum when actual movement differs from planned movement
Communicates: with cerebellum via olivocerebellar tract
Upper medulla fibers project to cerebellum via what structure? What tracts travel from the upper medulla to the cerebellum?
Fibers travel to cerebellum via inferior peduncle. Tracts from upper medulla to cerebellum: Spinocerebellar Olivocerebellar Vestibulocerebellar Reticulocerebellar
Upper medulla receives fibers from the cerebellum via what tract?
Cerebellovestibular tract
Function of the medulla? Carried out by what cranial nerves?
Functions: cardiovascular control, breathing, head movement, swallowing
CN: VII, VIII, IX, X, XII (nuclei located in medulla)
What are the only nuclei synapsing in the pons?
Corticopontine (pontine nuclei) and corticobulbar tracts (Trigeminal motor and facial nuclei)
What tracts lie in the basis portion of the midbrain?
Corticospinal and corticobulbar tracts (basis lies ventral)
Tectum of midbrain lies posterior to the ventricular space and house what 2 prominent structures?
Superior and inferior colliculi
Tegmentum of midbrain lies ventral to cerebral aqueduct in midbrain, and ventral to fourth ventricle in pons and medulla, this area contains what structures ?
Bulk of brainstem nuclei and reticular formation
