Brainstem and Cranial Nerves

Question 1

What connects the cerebellum to the brainstem?

Answer 1

3 cerebellar peduncles

Question 2

The brainstem contains nuclei of which cranial nerves?

Answer 2

3-12 excluding 11

Question 3

Roof of brainstem?

Answer 3

Tectum

Question 4

Anterior to tectum?

Answer 4

Tegmentum

Question 5

List the parts of the posterior aspect of the brainstem

Answer 5

Pineal gland
Superior and inferior colliculus
Trochlear nerve
Dorsal columns

Question 6

List the parts of the anterior aspect of the brainstem

Answer 6

Mammillary body 
Pituitary stalk 
Cerebral peduncle 
Optic chiasm 
Medullary pyramids 
Pyramidal decussation

Question 7

Which tracts do the cerebral peduncles contain?

Answer 7

Descending tracts (corticospinal and corticobulbar)

Question 8

Which cranial nerves emerge at the midbrain?

Answer 8

Cranial nerves 3 and 4

Question 9

Which cranial nerves emerge at the pons?

Answer 9

5, 6, 7 and 8; emerge from pontine nuclei, transverse fibres and descending pathway.

Question 10

Which part of the ventricular system is visible in a cross section at the level of the midbrain?

Answer 10

Aqueduct

Question 11

What are the superior and inferior colliculi associated with resepctively?

Answer 11

Visual and auditory pathways

Question 12

Which ventricle and peduncle can be seen at the pons level?

Answer 12

Fourth ventricle

Middle cerebellar peduncle

Question 13

Which cranial nerves emerge at the medulla?

Answer 13

9, 10 and 12

Question 14

Which nucleus can be seen at the level of the open medulla (upper)?

Answer 14

Inferior olivary nucleus; 4th ventricle can also be seen

Question 15

At which levels are the 4th ventricle not visible?

Answer 15

Closed (lower) medulla and midbrain

Question 16

What can be seen at the level of the closed/lower medulla?

Answer 16

Central canal, dorsal columns, decussation of pyramids

Question 17

Which motor pathway has fibres which cross at the medulla?

Answer 17

Corticospinal

Question 18

What are the 2 arterial systems that cover the brainstem?

Answer 18

Anterior derived from the internal carotid system

Posterior derived from the vertebrobasilar system.

Question 19

List all the efferent motor nuclei in the brainstem.

Answer 19

Oculomotor nerve nuclei

Nucleus of trochlear nerve

Motor nucleus of V

Nucleus of abducens nerve

Facial nuclues

Salivary nuclei

Nucleus ambiguous

Dorsal vagal nucleus

Nucleus of hypoglossal nerve

Spinal nucleus of accessory nerve

Question 20

List all the afferent sensory nuclei of the brainstem.

Answer 20

Mesencephalic nucleus of V
Chief nucleus of V
CN V
CN VI
CN VII
CN VIII
Vestibular and cochlear nuclei 
Spinal nucleus of trigeminal nerve 
Nucleus of solitary tract

Question 21

Define GSA

Answer 21

Fibres carry general sensation from skin, muscles, joints of head and neck

Question 22

Define GSE

Answer 22

Fibres innervate skeletal muscles

Question 23

Define GVA

Answer 23

Fibres carry sensation from viscera of head, neck, thorax and abdomen

Question 24

Defin GVE

Answer 24

Fibres are the preganglionic parasympathetic neurones to cranial, thoracic and abdominal viscera

Question 25

Define SSA

Answer 25

Fibres carry special senses of hearing and balance

Question 26

Define SVA

Answer 26

Fibres carry taste sensation

Question 27

Define SVE

Answer 27

Innervate skeletal muscles of the jaw, face, larynx and pharynx

Question 28

Nuclei and functions of CN III

Answer 28

Oculomotor - GSE - Motor to levator palpebrae superioris, superior rectus, inferior rectus, medial rectus and inferior oblique Edinger-Westphal - GVE - Parasympathetic motor to sphincter pupillae, ciliary muscles for accomodation

Question 29

Nuclei and functions of CN IV

Answer 29

Trochlear - GSE - Motor to superior oblique

Question 30

Nuclei and functions of CN V

Answer 30

Mesencephalic - GSA - Proprioception from muscles of mastication Chief nucleus - GSA - Discriminative touch and vibration from head Spinal nucleus - GSA - Pain and temperature from the head Motor nucleus - SVE - Motor to muscle of mastication

Question 31

Nuclei and functions of CN VI

Answer 31

Abducens - GSE - Motor to lateral rectus

Question 32

Nuclei and functions of CN VII

Answer 32

Facial - SVE - Motor to muscles of facial expression Chief nucleus - GSA - Sensory from external auditory meatus and skin posterior to ear Superior salivatory nucleus - GVE - Parasympathetic motor to lacrimal, submandibular, sublingual glands and mucous glands of mouth and nose Nucleus solitarius - SVA - Taste from anterior 2/3 tongue

Question 33

Nuclei and functions of CN VIII

Answer 33

Vestibular - SSA - Balance Cochlear - SSA - Hearing

Question 34

Nuclei and functions of CN XII

Answer 34

Hypoglossal nucleus - GSE - Motor to hyoglossus, genioglossus, styloglossus and all intrinsic muscles of the tongue

Question 35

Nuclei and functions of CN IX

Answer 35

Spinal - GSA - General sensation from posterior 1/3 tongue, tonsil, skin of external, internal surface of tympanic membrane, pharynx Nucleus solitarius - GVA - Chemoreceptors and baroreceptors in the carotid body, visceral afferent information from tongue and pharynx Nucleus solitarius - SVA - Taste from posterior 1/3 of tongue Nucleus ambiguous - SVE - Motor to stylopharyngeus Inferior salivatory nucleus - GVE - Parasympathetic motor to parotid gland