Brainstem And Cranial Nerves

Question 1

Brainstem

Answer 1

All ascending and descending pathways pass through brainstem
Many pathways synapse here in relay nuclei or in other brainstem nuclei
Contains nuclei of 9/12 pairs of cranial nerves

Question 2

How are cerebellum and brainstem connected?

Answer 2

By 3 cerebellum peduncle (white fibre tracts)

Question 3

Brainstem blood supply

Answer 3

CNS blood supply comes from 2 arterial systems

Anterior derived from internal carotid system & Posterior derived from Vertebrobasilar

Question 4

How to group cranial nerves?

Answer 4

General somatic afferent (GSA)-carry sensation from skin muscles joints of head and neck
General somatic efferent (GSE)-innervate skeletal muscles
General visceral afferent (GVA)-carry sensation from viscera of head neck thorax and abdomen
General visceral efferent (GVE)-preganglionic parasympathetic neurons to cranial thoracic and abdominal viscera

Question 5

Special somatic afferent fibres (SSA)

Answer 5

Carry special senses of hearing and balance

Question 6

Special visceral afferent fibres (SVA)

Answer 6

Fibres carry taste sensation

Question 7

Special visceral efferent fibres (SVE)

Answer 7

Innervate skeletal muscles of the jaw face larynx and pharynx