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Brainstem and Reticular Formation Flashcards

1
Q

Three general functions of the brainstem

A

1) Conduit for info from spinal cord to cortex (white matter tracts)
2) Cranial nerve origin
3) Integrative functions (Reflexes, cardiorespiratory control, reticular formation)

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2
Q

Three subdivisions of brainstem

A

medulla, pons, midbrain

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3
Q

Name and give relative locations for three main fiber tracts in brainstem.

A

1) Coritcospinal tract - anterior
2) Spinothalamic tract - anterolateral
3) Medial lemniscus - variable

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4
Q

What kind of information is carried by the medial lemniscus?

A

Tactile

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5
Q

What is the origin and destination for the spinothalamic tract and medial lemniscus?

A

Caudal medulla to thalamus.

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6
Q

Where is the obex located?

A

Bottom of 4th ventricle.

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7
Q

Distinguish between tegmentum and tectum

A

Tegmentum “floor” is posterior to the tectum “roof.” The tectum and tegmentum straddle the cerebral aqueduct.

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8
Q

Which portion of the medulla is closed? And open? What can you see through open end?

A

Caudal is closed. Rostral is open; you can see the fourth ventricle.

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9
Q

What structure constitutes the apex of the fourth ventricle?

A

Obex

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10
Q

Where is the pyramidal decussation of the medulla located? What does it contain? What’s it bounded by?

A

Located at the brainstem-spinal cord jxn. It contains the corticospinal tract. Bounded by anterolateral sulcus.

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11
Q

What cranial nerve exits the medulla via anterolateral or preolivary sulcus?

A

hypoglossal (XII)

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12
Q

Rootlets of CN IX and X emerge through what structure, out of the medulla?

A

Postolivary sulcus

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13
Q

What are the sits of nucleus cuneatus and nucleus gracilus?

A

Cuneate tubercle

Gracile tubercle

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14
Q

Structure that forms a large bulge on the anterior surface of brainstem

A

Basal pons.

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15
Q

What sends an axon across the middle of the pons? The lateral connection of these fibers form what structure? What pathway is this part of?

A

Pontine neurons. Middle cerebellar peduncle. Cerebropontocerebellar pathway.

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16
Q

Major cerebellar input pathway of the pons

A

Middle Cerebral peduncle

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17
Q

What CNs are associated with the pons?

A

V, VI, VII, VIII

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18
Q

Where does CN V enter pons? Through what structure?

A

Midpontine level. Cerebellar peduncle

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19
Q

Where does CN VI exit brainstem?

A

Pontomedullary junction

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20
Q

Where does CN VII exit pons? What are the two parts of this nerve?

A

Pontomedullary jxn. Small lateral sensory root, large medial motor root.

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21
Q

Where does CN VIII exit pons? What are its two parts?

A

Pontomedullary jxn. Medial vestibular division, lateral cochlear division.

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22
Q

What structure forms the roof of the fourth ventricle? What is the primary function of this structure?

A

Superior cerebellar peduncle. Cerebellar outflow pathway

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23
Q

Where does the ascending auditory pathway terminate?

A

Inferior colliculus

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24
Q

Term for the band of fibers that covers the superior cerebellar peduncle in the rostral pons

A

Lateral lemniscus

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25
The cerebral aqueduct, superior and inferior colliculi are located in what part of the brain?
Midbrain
26
The cerebral aqueduct is a remnant of what embryonic structure?
Lumen of embryonic mesencephalon
27
What causes lesions in the cerebral aqueduct? Why are they not uncommon?
CSF obstruction. Not uncommon due to narrow channel.
28
Is the superior colliculus white or gray matter? Where's it located? What's its function?
Gray. Tectum of rostral midbrain. Directs visual attention and controls eye movements.
29
Is the inferior colliculus white or gray matter? Where's it located? What's its function? From what does it receive input?
Gray. Tectum of caudal midbrain. Component of auditory system. Lateral lemniscus.
30
What structure is characterized as a large bundle of white matter at the base of the midbrain?
Cerebral peduncles
31
What CNs are associated with the midbrain?
III, IV
32
Where is the nucleus of CN III located? What kinds of neurons does it contain?
Rostral midbrain. Preganglionic parasympathetic neurons that control pupillary sphincter and ciliary muscles
33
Where is CN IV found? What does it innervate?
Rostral midbrain. Superior oblique
34
What structure contains fibers from the inferior colliculus that project to the medial geniculate nucleus of the thalamus? What pathway is this part of?
Inferior brachium. Ascending auditory pathway.
35
What's the only CN that leaves the DORSAL aspect of the brainstem?
CN IV
36
Outline the borders of the caudal medulla
Caudal edge of pyramidal decussation to obex
37
Which structures in the caudal medulla are the equivalent of Lissauer's tract and substantia gelatinosa respectively in the cord?
Spinal trigeminal tract, spinal nucleus of V
38
What fibers run from the inferior olivary nucleus to the contralateral inferior cerebellar peduncle?
Internal arcuate fibers
39
Rostral vs. Caudal medulla: Five structures that are unique to rostral medulla
- Fourth ventricle - Pyramids - Medial lemniscus - Inferior olivary nuclei - XII, nucleus
40
Rostral vs. Caudal medulla: Three structures that are unique to caudal medulla
- Central canal - Gracile/cuneate nuclei/tracts - Pyramidal decussation
41
Borders of caudal pons
Rostral part of fourth ventricle to rostral edge of middle cerebellar peduncle
42
What attaches the caudal pons to the cerebellum?
Middle cerebellar peduncle
43
Borders of rostral pons
Top of middle cerebellar peduncle to cerebral aqueduct
44
Near what structure does the medial longitudinal fasciculus present?
Fourth ventricle
45
Major cerebellar outflow tract? To where does it project?
Superior cerebellar peduncle - projects to red nucleus in the midbrain and thalamus.
46
Caudal vs. rostral pons: 4 structures unique to caudal pons
- Inferior cerebellar peduncle - middle cerebellar peduncle - Medial lemniscus - Fourth ventricle
47
Caudal vs. rostral pons: 4 structures unique to rostral pons
- Superior cerebellar peduncle - Medial lemniscus - Small ventricular space (opening of aqueduct)
48
In which portion of the brainstem does CN IV leave?
Caudal midbrain
49
What neurotransmitter is used by substantia nigra neurons? What does this structure innervate? Loss of these neurons results in what clinically?
dopamine. Putamen/caudate. Parkinson's
50
Caudal vs. Rostral midbrain: What 3 structures are unique to caudal?
Inferior Colliculus IV Decussation of superior cerebellar peduncle
51
Caudal vs. Rostral midbrain: What 4 structures are unique to rostral?
- Superior colliculus - III - Red nucleus - Substantia nigra
52
Function of sulcus limitans?
Separates motor and sensory nuclei in the brainstem and spinal cord
53
Which CNs are GSA?
V, VII, IX, X
54
Which CNs are GSE?
III IV, VI, XII
55
Which CNs are GVE?
III, VII, IX, X
56
Which CNs are SSA?
I, II, VIII
57
Which CNs are SVE?
V, VII, IX, X, XI
58
Functions of I-VI?
``` I - smell II - vision III - Eye movement IV - Eye movement V - Head/neck sensation, muscles of mastication VI - Eye movement ```
59
Fuctions of VII-XII?
VII - Taste, facial expression VIII - Hearing/balance IX - Carotid sinus, taste, tongue, stylopharyngeus X - Pharynx/larynx, aorta, back of ear skin XI - Sternomastoid/traps XII - Tongue
60
How many nerve fibers are there in the brainstem total?
6
61
What are the two types of special cranial nerve functions and what do they innervate?
Special sensory - hearing, equilibrium -Branchial motor - innervate muscles derived from pharyngeal apparatus
62
What supplies the anterior and medial brainstem?
Perforating arteries from the vertebral-basilar system
63
What brainstem regions do circuferential arteries supply?
Lateral brainstem and cerebellum
64
What structure comprises the central core of the brainstem?
Reticular formation
65
The reticular formation extends into the cerebrum as what structure?
Hypothalamus
66
Give examples of what the reticular formation regulates
- Posture - Some motor - internal environment - Pain regulation - Sleep/wakefulness - Emotional tone
67
Name the longitudinal zones of reticular formation from medial to lateral
1) Raphe/median 2) Paramedian/medial 3) Lateral
68
What comprises the medial longitudinal zone?
Ascending/descending projections. Small and large neurons.
69
What comprises the lateral longitudinal zone?
CN reflexes and visceral functions. Prominent in rostral medulla and caudal pons.
70
Name and outline the origin and path of the two reticulospinal tracts
1) Medial: Starts in pons, descends ipsilaterally to anterior funiculus. 2) Lateral: Starts in medulla, descends bilaterally to lateral funiculus.
71
Reticular formation/reticulospinal tracts is a major alternative to what tract in regulating spinal motor neurons?
Corticospinal tract
72
Because of RF, what jxn can be sectioned without a cat losing ability to walk?
Brainstem-diencephalon
73
What are the two gaze centers under reticular control and where are they located?
Vertical gaze center - midbrain Horizontal gaze center - pons
74
What nucleus in reticular formation controls mastication? Where is it located?
Supratrigeminal. Pons.
75
What bodily functions are associated with the medulla vital center?
Respiration, swallowing/vomiting, heart rate
76
Muscles of mastication do what during bruxism?
Co-contract
77
Outline the peripheral causes theory of bruxism
Malocclusion causes jaw to move and contract to find resting position during sleep
78
Outline the central causes theory of bruxism
Sleep-related dysfunction. Supratrigeminal nucleus involvement.
79
How does RF relate to pain? What other structure is integral to pain suppresion?
RF can induce or suppress pain (e.g. wounded soldiers not in pain). Periaqueductal gray.
80
From what structure does PAG receive pain info?
Spinomesencephalic fibers
81
How does PAG suppress pain?
Sends signal to raphe, then to posterior horn, where pain will originate. This dampens the signal
82
What receptors are abundant in PAG/raphe
Opiate
83
What neurotransmitter is used by raphe?
Serotonin
84
In arousal, RF projects to what structures? What is the effect?
Thalamus and cortex. Heightens arousal for stimuli that demand attention.
85
What two projections from the RF work together to modulate cortical activity?
Thalamic intralaminar nuclear projections and monoamine reticular projections
86
Bilateral damage to midbrain RF results in what clinically?
Coma
87
The ascending reticular activating system has a role in what?
Sleep-wakefulness cycle
88
What neurotransmitter(s) are associated with nuclei communication in the brainstem?
Dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin
89
What neurotransmitter(s) are associated with nuclei communication in the hypothalamus?
Histamine-containing neurons
90
What neurotransmitter(s) are associated with nuclei communication in the telencephalon?
Ach
91
What system is Locus ceruleus part of? Where's it located? What does it promote? What neurotransmitter is associated?
ARAS. Pons. Arousal. Norepinephrine
92
Two structures in the medulla with which norepinephrine is asoociated. What are their roles?
1) Solitary nucleus - memory enhancement | 2) Ventrolateral medulla - pain regulation
93
Noradrengergic projections from locus ceruleus go everywhere - but to what structure mostly?
Parietal lobe
94
Norepinephrine released in cortex from locus ceruleus results in what?
- increased arousal | - feeling of anticipation
95
Norepinephrine released in the trigeminal spinal nucleus and spinal cord comes from what structure? What does it do?
Ventrolateral medulla. Suppresses incoming pain signals.
96
Increased levels of norepinephrine could cause what?
Panic disorder
97
Decreased levels of norepinephrine could result in what?
Clinical depression
98
Two dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain?
1) Substantia nigra (putamen/caudate) | 2) Ventral tegmental area (Limbic system).
99
Two types of fibers in the Ventral tegmental area and their roles
Mesocortical fibers - thinking/planning Mesolimbic fibers - reward system
100
Two symptoms of schizophrenia and brain areas that cause these effects. How does dopamine affect this?
1) Disorganized thinking/social withdrawal - LOW levels of dopamine in frontal lobe. 2) Hallucinations - HIGH levels of dopamine in limbic system
101
What raphe structure is associated with pain regulation?
Nucleus raphe magnus
102
Activity seen in subjects with low and high levels of serotonin respectively?
Low: High carb consumption/binge eating High: compulsive behavior and anorexia nervosa

Anatomy (11 decks)

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