Brainstem and Cranial Nerves

Question 1

3 divisions of the brainstem? Which is the bulgey bit? Which is continuous with the spinal cord?

Answer 1

1. Medulla oblongata (this is continuous with the spinal cord)
2. Pons (bulgey bit)
3. Midbrain

NOT THE HINDBRAIN

Question 2

Pineal gland secretes X and maintains YY

Answer 2

melatonin

Circadian rhythm

Question 3

What hormone relies on the circadian rhythm

Answer 3

Cortisol

Question 4

Pineal gland sits on the roof of the midbrain - XX

Answer 4

the tectum

Question 5

What of importance is on the tectum (3)

Answer 5

• Superior colliculus
  Inferior colliculus
  4th cranial nerve
• Trochlear nerve

Question 6

What muscle does the trochlear supply

Answer 6

The superior oblique

Question 7

Superior colliculus function …

Answer 7

Coordinates movement of neck and eyes

Question 8

Inferior colliculus function …

Answer 8

Auditory reflex- defensive reflex to a loud noise

Question 9

What is dorsally on the pons

Answer 9

4th ventricle

Question 10

Where is the 4th ventricle

Answer 10

on the pons dorsally

Question 11

What is in the dorsal medulla

Answer 11

Dorsal columns - sensory information coming up to the thalamus and the rest of the brain from the spinal cord

Question 12

What levels do you find the gracile fasciculus

Answer 12

Cervical, as well as the lumbar and thoracic regions which only have the gracile with info coming from the leg

Question 13

What levels do you find the cuneate fasciculus

Answer 13

Only cervical

Question 14

Names of the two tracts of the dorsal column?

Answer 14

Cuneate fasciculus

Gracile fasciculus

Question 15

which nerve can you see in a dorsal view of the brainstem

Answer 15

4th - trochlear

Question 16

Which nerves can you see from the ventral view of the brainstem

Answer 16

CNI- Olfactory nerve
Optic chiasm of the optic nerve
Oculomotor nerve (CNIII)
Trigeminal nerve (CNV)
Abducens nerve (CNVI)
Facial nerve (CNVII)
Vestibulocochlear nerve (CNVIII
Glossopharyngeal nerve (CNIX) 
Vagus nerve (CNX) 
Accessory nerve (CNXI) 
Hypoglossal nerve (CNXII)

Question 17

Olfactory never projecst through the base of the skull to the XX

Answer 17

olfactory bulb

Question 18

what happens at the optic chasm

Answer 18

Crossing over if the optic nerves (CNII)- half the fibres (relating to the temporal visual field) cross over at the optic chiasm, and the nerves follow back in optic tract and end up in the occipital lobe where image is constructed

Question 19

Oculomotor arises in the gap between the two XX

Answer 19

cerebral peduncles

Question 20

Abducens supplies …

Answer 20

the lateral rectus muscle which abducts the eye (extrinsic eye muscle)

Question 21

The pyramids of desussation are a continuation of the XX

Answer 21

corticospinal tract

Question 22

GENERAL SOMATIC AFFERENT (GSA) nerves function?

Answer 22

Sensation from skin and mucous membranes

Question 23

GENERAL VISCERAL AFFERENT (GVA) nerves function?

Answer 23

Sensation from GI tract, heart, vessels and lungs

Question 24

GENERAL SOMATIC EFFERENT (GSE) nerves function?

Answer 24

Muscles for eye and tongue movements

Question 25

GENERAL VISCERAL EFFERENT (GVE) nerves function?

Answer 25

Preganglionic parasympathetic enervation of the body (basically the Vagus nerve)

Question 26

SPECIAL SOMATIC AFFERENT (SSA nerves function?

Answer 26

Vision, hearing and equilibrium

Question 27

SPECIAL VISCERAL AFFERENT (SVA) nerves function?

Answer 27

) Smell and taste (taste is more complex because there are multiple CNs behind it)

Question 28

SPECIAL VISCERAL EFFERENT (SVE) nerves function?

Answer 28

Muscles involved in chewing, facial expression, swallowing, vocal sounds and turning head

Question 29

Order from lateral to medial: GSE, GSA, GVA, GVE

Answer 29

GSA, GVA, GVE, GSE
SVVS
AAEE

Question 30

How to spot cross section of the midbrain?

Answer 30

Midbrain looks like upside down Mickey Mouse

Question 31

Features on a cross section of the midbrain? (5)

Answer 31

Cerebral aqueduct (drains the 3rd ventricle
Cerebral peduncles
you may see the colliculi
substantia nigra

Question 32

Substantia nigra is important in …

Answer 32

initiating movement

Question 33

Disease that effects the substantia nigra? How would this look on a cross section

Answer 33

Loses colour (depigmented) in Parkinson’s disease because cells die

Question 34

Features on a cross section of the pons? (3)

Answer 34

 4th ventricle
 Transverse fibres connecting either side of the cerebellum
 Middle cerebellar peduncle

Question 35

Features on a cross section of the medulla? (3)

Answer 35

 4th ventricle
 Pyramids (corticospinal tract)
 Inferior olivary nucleus

Question 36

What does the Inferior olivary nucleus look like

Answer 36

Squirmy should be an easy spot

Question 37

Features on a cross section of the lower medulla? (3)

Answer 37

 Central canal
 Dorsal columns
 Pyramidal decussation may be seen (fibres crossing over)

Question 38

Easy way to spot the pons?

Answer 38

Transverse fibres connecting either side of the cerebellum

Question 39

Easy way to spot the medulla?

Answer 39

Pyramids or the inferior olivary nucleus

Question 40

Easy way to spot the lower medulla?

Answer 40

Diagonal fibres of the pyramidal decussation

Question 41

What is the LATERAL MEDULLARY SYNDROME

Answer 41

THROMBOSIS OF VERTEBRAL ARTERY OR POSTERIOR INFERIOR CEREBELLAR ARTERY (PICA)- blood vessels supplying lateral part of medulla

Question 42

Symptoms of lateral medullary syndrome? (6)

Answer 42

Vertigo

• Ipsilateral cerebellar ataxia (will have a broad based gate, and will shuffle)
• Ipsilateral loss of pain/thermal sense (face)
• Horner’s syndrome (constriction of the pupil)
• Hoarseness, difficulty in swallowing
• Contralateral loss of pain/thermal sense (trunk and limbs)