Brainstem and Cranial nerves

Question 1

Aims

Answer 1

• To know the position of the brainstem in the CNS.
• To learn the general morphology and organisation of the brainstem.
• To learn the names and locations of the 12 cranial nerves.
• To review the general function of the brainstem and cranial nerves.

Question 2

What is the position of the brainstem in the CNS?

Answer 2

The brainstem is made up of the midbrain and hind brain together, they’re located below the Thalamus and anterior to the cerebellum.

P.S. some consider the thalamus as part of the brainstem.

Question 3

What is the Diencephalon?

Answer 3

It is the thalamus above and hypothalamus below.

I asked this because some diagrams will include it as part of the brainstem. It doesn’t matter if it is or isn’t just remember its function.

Question 4

What is the function of the brainstem as a whole?

there are 7

Answer 4

• Conduit for ascending and descending pathways.
• Conduit for cerebellar connections.
• Houses most cranial nerve nuclei.
• Chemoreception, salivation, mastication, swallowing.
• Reticular formation; arousal; cardiovascular and respiratory centres - vital life-supporting role.
• Raphe, locus coeruleus nuclei - mood, sleep.
• Substantia nigra - movement control.