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Brainstem and cranial nerves Flashcards

1
Q

How many of the cranial nerves are connected to the brainstem?

A

10 of 12

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2
Q

What are the three parts of the brainstem?

A

Midbrain
Pons
Medulla

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3
Q

What is the crus cerebri?

A

A bundle of fibres that connects the cerebral cortex and the brainstem

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4
Q

What is the middle cerebellar peduncle?

A

A bundle of fibres that connects the cerebellum and brainstem

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5
Q

Where is the inferior colliculus (auditory)?

A

A hillock on the dorsal surface of the midbrain

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6
Q

Where is the superior colliculus (visual)?

A

Posterior surface of brainstem

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7
Q

Where are the olives/inferior olivary nuclei?

A

Latero-ventral surface of the medulla

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8
Q

Where are the pyramids found?

A

Above the olives

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9
Q

Which cranial nerve is the only one to exit on the dorsal side?

A

Trochlear nerve

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10
Q

Where are the superior and inferior peduncles visible?

A

Posterior surface of the brainstem

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11
Q

Where are the mamillary bodies?

A

Belong to hypothalamus (not part of brainstem)

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12
Q

Which cranial nerves are for the special senses?

A

1, 2 and 8

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13
Q

Which cranial nerves do not attach to the brainstem?

A

1 and 2

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14
Q

What is cranial nerve 1?

A

Olfactory tract

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15
Q

What is cranial nerve 2?

A

Optic nerve

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16
Q

Where does the optic nerve become the optic tract?

A

Posterior to the optic chiasm (between optic chiasm and LGN)

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17
Q

Describe the path of light from the lateral visual field to the LGN.

A

Reaches nasal part of retina

Neurons cross in the optic chiasm so they end up synapsing with the LGN on the contralateral side

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18
Q

Describe the path of light from the contralateral visual field to the LGN.

A

Reaches temporal part of retina

Axons do not cross in the optic chiasm so they end up in the ipsilateral LGN

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19
Q

What is the 8th cranial nerve?

A

Vestibulocochlear nerve

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20
Q

What does the vestibulocochlear nerve do?

A

Mediates balance and hearing

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21
Q

Where are the vestibulocochlear nuclei found?

A

Lateral recesses of the 4th ventricle

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22
Q

Which cranial nerves move the eyeball?

A

3, 4 and 6

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23
Q

What is the 3rd cranial nerve?

A

Oculomotor nerve

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24
Q

What is the 4th cranial nerve?

A

Trochlear nerve

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25
Q

What is the 6th cranial nerve?

A

Abducens nerve

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26
Q

Which 2 nuclei does the oculomotor nerve originate from?

A

Edinger-Westphal nucleus
Oculomotor nucleus
(Both at level of superior colliculi)

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27
Q

Where does the oculomotor nerve exit the brainstem?

A

At the ventral midbrain between the crus cerebri

28
Q

Why does shining light on one eye effect both?

A

Each pretectal area projects to both Edinger-Westphal nuclei

29
Q

Which muscle does the trochlear nerve innervate?

A

Superior oblique muscle

30
Q

Where are the abducens nuclei located?

A

In the pons (floor of 4th ventricle)

31
Q

Which muscle does the abducens nerve innervate?

A

Lateral rectus muscle

32
Q

Are the trochlear and abducens nerves motor or sensory?

A

Both purely motor nerves

33
Q

What is the cerebral aqueduct?

A

A narrow canal in the centre of the midbrain

Connects the 3rd and 4th ventricles

34
Q

Which nerves exit the neurocranium to go to the eye via the superior orbital fissure?

A

Abducens
Trochlear
Oculomotor

35
Q

What are the symptoms of trochlear nerve palsy?

A

Paralysis of superior oblique

Causes misalignment of the eye

36
Q

What are the symptoms of abducens nerve palsy?

A

Paralysis of lateral rectus muscle

Inward squint

37
Q

What are the symptoms of oculomotor nerve palsy?

A

Cross eyed
Double vision
Eye drooping
Pupillary abnormalities

38
Q

What is the 5th cranial nerve?

A

Trigeminal nerve

39
Q

Is the trochlear nerve sensory or motor?

A

Mixed - sensory and motor

But larger sensory component (main sensory innervation of face)

40
Q

What are the three portions of the sensory nucleus of the trigeminal nerve?

A

Mesencephalic
Chief
Spinal

41
Q

What are the 3 branches of the trigeminal nerve?

A

Opthalmic
Maxillary
Mandibular

42
Q

Which fibres synapse onto the chief trigeminal nucleus?

A

AB (discriminative touch)

43
Q

Which fibres synapse onto the spinal nucleus of the trigeminal nerve?

A

AD and C (pain and temperature)

44
Q

What is the function of the mesencephalic nucleus of the trigeminal nerve?

A

Proprioception

45
Q

Where does the maxillary branch of the trigeminal nerve exit?

A

Foramen rotundum

46
Q

Where does the mandibular branch exit?

A

Foramen ovale

47
Q

What is the 7th cranial nerve?

A

Facial nerve

48
Q

What are the three nuclei of the facial nerve?

A 
Facial motor nerve (pons)
Superior salivary nucleus (pons)
Nucleus solitarius (medulla)
49
Q

What do the facial motor nucleus efferents innervate?

A

Muscles of facial expression

Stapedius in inner ear

50
Q

What are the components of the facial nerve?

A

Sensory
Motor
Parasympathetics

51
Q

What is the initial exit point of the facial nerve?

A

Internal auditory meatus

52
Q

What is the 9th cranial nerve?

A

Glossopharyngeal nerve

53
Q

What is the 10th cranial nerve?

54
Q

What are the components of the glossopharyngeal nerve?

A

Motor
Sensory
Parasympathetics

55
Q

What is the nucleus ambiguous?

A

Motor innervation to pharynx, larynx and upper oesophagus

Crucial for swallowing/gag reflex

56
Q

What is the parasympathetic component of the glossopharyngeal nerve responsible for?

57
Q

What is the 11th cranial nerve?

A

Accessory nerve

58
Q

Does vagus have sensory component?

A

Yes (From pharynx/larynx)

59
Q

What are the components of the accessory nerve?

A

Purely motor

60
Q

What is the 12th cranial nerve?

A

Hypoglossal nerve

61
Q

What are the components of the hypoglossal nerve?

A

Purely motor

62
Q

What does the hypoglossal nerve innervate?

A

Tongue muscles - important in speech

63
Q

Which nerves mediate taste sensation?

A

Facial
Glossopharyngeal
Vagus

64
Q

Which cranial nerve is particular prone to damage because it’s thin and long?

A

Trochlear nerve

65
Q

How do the vestibulocochlear nerve and facial nerve exit the neurocranium?

A

Internal auditory meatus

66
Q

Which cranial nerves can be compressed by tumours in the medulla?

GBE (15 decks)

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