brainstem and cranial nerve nuclei

Question 1

what makes up the brainstem?

Answer 1

medulla oblongata, pons, midbrain

Question 2

what is the midbrain continuous with rostrally?

Answer 2

diencephalon of the forebrain

Question 3

the brainstem contains a complex and heterogenous matrix of neurons known as the ______, within which a number of individually identified nuclei exist

Answer 3

reticular formation

Question 4

functions of the reticular formation

Answer 4

has several functions, including control over the level of consciousness, the perception of pain and regulation of the CV and resp systems

Question 5

at what level is the 4th ventricle widest?

Answer 5

at the level of the pontomedullary junction

Question 6

what provides passage for CSF within the 4th ventricle to reach the sub ach out space surrounding the brain?

Answer 6

foramen of Luschka

Question 7

superior vs inferior colliculus

Answer 7

superior — visual system

inferior — auditory system

Question 8

where does the trochlear nerve emerge?

Answer 8

immediately caudal to the inferior colliculus

Question 9

what make up the lateral walls of the rostral part of the 4th ventricle and connect the brainstem with the cerebellum?

Answer 9

superior and inferior cerebellar peduncles

Question 10

what separates the 2 crura cerebri?

Answer 10

interpeduncular fossa

Question 11

what is the crus cerebri continuous rostrally with?

Answer 11

the internal capsule of the cerebral hemisphere

Question 12

what do the crus cerebri contain?

Answer 12

• descending fibres
• contain the corticobulbar and corticospinal fibres that have left the cerebrum via the internal capsule

Question 13

what are the pyramids of the medulla either side of?

Answer 13

the ventral median fissure

Question 14

describe the pyramids

Answer 14

• pyramids overlie the pyramidal or corticospinal tract
• consists of descending fibres originating from the ipsilateral cerebral cortex
• 75-90% of these fibres cross over at the decussation of the pyramids — form lateral corticospinal tract of the spinal cord

Question 15

what does the inferior olivary nucleus lie within and what does it have connections with?

Answer 15

lies within the olive of the medulla — has connections with the cerebellum primarily and is involved in the control of movement

Question 16

the ________ runs through the rostral medulla, the pons and the midbrain, to terminate upon 3rd order neurons in the _______ of the thalamus

Answer 16

• medial lemniscus
• VP nucleus of the thalamus

Question 17

what do the motor nuclei contain?

Answer 17

nerve cell bodies of LMNs

Question 18

what happens in the sensory nuclei?

Answer 18

1st order neurons synapse with 2nd order neurons

Question 19

list the sensory modalities

Answer 19

GSA - general somatic afferent
SSA - special somatic afferent
GVA - general visceral afferent
SVA - special visceral afferent

Question 20

list the motor modalities

Answer 20

GSE - general somatic efferent
SVE - special visceral efferent
GVE - general visceral efferent

Question 21

what is the only nucleus to fall into the GSA category?

Answer 21

trigeminal sensory nucleus

Question 22

what is the trigeminal nucelus divided into and what do they carry?

Answer 22

• mesencephalic - proprioception
• chief - touch and pressure
• spinal - pain and temperature

Question 23

associating nerves of the trigeminal nucleus (GSA)

Answer 23

• V
• VII
• IX
• X

Question 24

what does SSA originate from?

Answer 24

ectoderm

Question 25

what are the functions of SSA?

Answer 25

hearing, balance

Question 26

name the nuclei in the SSA category

Answer 26

- vestibular and cochlear nucleus

Question 27

name the nucleus in the SVA category and the functions of SVA

Answer 27

= taste and smell - nucleus solitaries

Question 28

associated nerves of nucleus solitaires (SVA)

Answer 28

- VII - IX - X

Question 29

what nucleus is in the GVA category and function of GVA?

Answer 29

= viscera. PS fibres. (fibres from viscera, baroreceptors, chemoreceptors terminate here) - nucleus solitaries

Question 30

associated nerves of the nucleus solitaries (GVA)

Answer 30

- IX - X

Question 31

function of GSE

Answer 31

skeletal muscles voluntary innervation (contains NCBs of LMNs which supply skeletal muscle)

Question 32

associated nerves of GSE

Answer 32

- oculomotor - trochlear - abducens - hypoglossal

Question 33

SVE function

Answer 33

contain NCBs of motor neurons supplying skeletal muscle derived from pharyngeal arches — muscles of pharynx, larynx, mastication, facial expression

Question 34

what nuclei are in the SVE category?

Answer 34

- trigeminal motor nucleus - facial motor nucleus - nucleus ambiguous

Question 35

what does the nucleus ambiguous supply fibres to?

Answer 35

IX and X

Question 36

associated nerves of SVE

Answer 36

- V - VII - IX - X

Question 37

what do GVE nuclei contain?

Answer 37

NCBs of preganglionic parasympathetic neurons

Question 38

what nuclei are in the GVE category?

Answer 38

- Edinger-Westphal - superior and inferior salivatory - dorsal motor nuclei of vagus

Question 39

preganglionic fibres from the EW nucleus synapse in the ______ and post ganglionic fibres innervate the______

Answer 39

- ciliary ganglion - sphincter pupillae and ciliary muscles

Question 40

what nerve is the EW nucleus assoicated with?

Answer 40

oculomotor

Question 41

what nerve is the superior salivatory nucleus associated with?

Answer 41

CN VII

Question 42

fibres from the inferior salivatory ganglion pass within what nerve? where do their postganglionic fibres project?

Answer 42

- glossopharyngeal - project to parotid gland

Question 43

the dorsal motor nucleus of vagus contains fibres of the vagus nerve that supply what?

Answer 43

viscera off the abdomen and thorax (PS)

Question 44

what modality contains parasympathetic fibres?

Answer 44

GVE