Brainstem and Cranial Nerves Flashcards
What’s in the forebrain
Cerebral hemisphere
Diencephalon
What’s in the hindbrain
Pons
Medullar
Cerebellum
What connects the cerebellum to the pons/brainstem
Cerebellum is connected to brainstem by 3 cerebellar peduncle ( white fibre tracts)
How many of the cranial nerve nuclei are in the brainstem
9 of the 12 pairs of cranial nerves -3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,12
What does the internal structure of the brain contain (posterior to anterior)
Tectum ( roof) - contains half of the ventricular system
Tegmentum - contains half of the ventricular system
Base
Pineal gland
Produces melatonin
Function of the superior colliculus
Structure in the midbrain that is part of the brain circuit responsible for the transformation of sensory input into movement output
What is the function of the inferior colliculus
Part of the midbrain that serves as a main auditory centre for the body
What do the cerebral peduncle do
Take voluntary information from the motor cortex to the LMN of the brainstem / spinal cord
What nerves emerge at the midbrain level
3 and 4
Which tracts descend along the cerebral peduncle
Corticospinal and corticobulbar
Which nerves emerge at the level of the pons
Cranial nerves 5,6,7 and 8
What nerves emerge at the level of the medulla
9,10 and 12
What is the difference between the open and closed medulla
It is called closed medulla as the fourth ventricle has his closed down in the lower medulla and formed the central canal while the upper medulla is called open as there is no such roof to the fourth ventricle as the cerebellum would be sitting posterior to it
The medulla is the rostral continuation of the
Spinal cord
Anterior surface of the medulla has the
Pyramids ( descending tracts)
Posterior surface of the medulla has the
Dorsal columns . Posterior surface is divided into open and closed.
What 2 arterial systems does the CNS blood supply form from
Anterior and posterior
Anterior blood supply is derived from which vessels
Internal carotid system ( most of the cerebral hemisphere) - Circle of Willis
Posterior blood supply is derived from which vessels ?
Vertebrobasillar - Brainstem
General somatic afferent nerves ( GSA)
Fibres carry general sensation from the skin, muscles, joints of the head and neck
General somatic efferent ( GSE)
Fibres that innervate the skeletal muscles
General visceral afferent ( GVA)
Fibres that carry sensation from viscera of head, neck m thorax and abdomen
General visceral efferent ( GVE)
Fibres that are the preganglionic parasympathetic neurone to cranial, thoracic and abdominal viscera
Special somatic afferent ( SSA)
Fibres that carry special senses of hearing and balance
Special visceral afferent ( SVA)
Fibres that carry taste sensation
Special Visceral efferent ( SVE)
Innervate skeletal muscles of the jaw, face, larynx and pharynx
Posterior aspect of the midbrain has the
Pineal gland, colliculus, dorsal columns
Anterior aspect of the midbrain has the
Mammillary bodies, cerebral peduncle and medullary pyramids
