Brainstem And Cranal Nerves

Question 0

Does dorsal column get modified in brainstem?

Answer 0

Yes. Axons synapse in nucleus gracilis or cuneatus (medulla); neurons cross midline to form medial lemniscus

Question 1

Does spinothalamic tract get modified in brainstem?

Answer 1

Not modified

Question 2

Does spinocerebellar tract get modified in brainstem?

Answer 2

Yes. Axons leave brainstem via inferior and superior cerebellar peduncles to enter cerebellum

Question 3

Does the Trigeminal lemniscus get modified in the brainstem?

Answer 3

Yes. Neuron cell bodies located in main sensory nucleus and spinal nucleus of Trigeminal nerve cross the midline

Question 4

Autonomic tracts modified in brainstem? SNS? PSNS?

Answer 4

SNS: not modified
PSNS: axons synapse with brainstem parasympathetic nuclei or continue through brainstem and cord to the sacral level of spinal cord

Question 5

Does the corticospinal tract get modified in the brainstem?

Answer 5

Not modified.

Question 6

Des the corticobulbar tract get modified in the brainstem?

Answer 6

Axons synapse with cranial nerve nuclei in the brainstem

Question 7

Des the corticopontine tract get modified in the brainstem?

Answer 7

Axons synapse with nuclei in pons

Question 8

Does the corticoreticular tract get modified in the brainstem?

Answer 8

Axons synapse with reticular formation

Question 9

Inferior medulla structure? Spinothalamic tract position? Dorsal column fibers synapse where? What cranial nerve synapses here?

Answer 9

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)

Question 10

Upper medulla central canal widens to form?

Answer 10

The 4th ventricle

Question 11

Cranial nerve nuclei located dorsally in the upper medulla?

Answer 11

XII - hypoglossal
X (motor); X (sensory) - vagus
VII - facial
IX - glossopharyngeal 
VIII - vestibulocochlear

listed medial to lateral

Question 12

Nucleus ambiguus located anteriorly in the upper medulla output and input?

Answer 12

Output: motor supply to cranial nerves IX and X
Input: bilateral corticobulbar tracts

Question 13

Cochlear and vestibular nuclei in upper medulla receive input via?

Answer 13

Receive input via cranial nerve VIII. Input is auditory and vestibular information

Question 14

Inferior olive nucleus of upper medulla input? Output? Communicates with cerebellum using what tract?

Answer 14

Input: motor areas of brain and spinal cord
Output: signals cerebellum when actual movement differs from planned movement
Communicates: with cerebellum via olivocerebellar tract

Question 15

Upper medulla fibers project to cerebellum via what structure? What tracts travel from the upper medulla to the cerebellum?

Answer 15

Fibers travel to cerebellum via inferior peduncle.
Tracts from upper medulla to cerebellum:
Spinocerebellar
Olivocerebellar
Vestibulocerebellar
Reticulocerebellar

Question 16

Upper medulla receives fibers from the cerebellum via what tract?

Answer 16

Cerebellovestibular tract

Question 17

Function of the medulla? Carried out by what cranial nerves?

Answer 17

Functions: cardiovascular control, breathing, head movement, swallowing
CN: VII, VIII, IX, X, XII (nuclei located in medulla)

Question 18

What are the only nuclei synapsing in the pons?

Answer 18

Corticopontine (pontine nuclei) and corticobulbar tracts (Trigeminal motor and facial nuclei)

Question 19

What tracts lie in the basis portion of the midbrain?

Answer 19

Corticospinal and corticobulbar tracts (basis lies ventral)

Question 20

Tectum of midbrain lies posterior to the ventricular space and house what 2 prominent structures?

Answer 20

Superior and inferior colliculi

Question 21

Tegmentum of midbrain lies ventral to cerebral aqueduct in midbrain, and ventral to fourth ventricle in pons and medulla, this area contains what structures ?

Answer 21

Bulk of brainstem nuclei and reticular formation