Brainstem + Cranial Nerves Flashcards
How is the cerebellum connected to the brainstem?
3 CEREBELLAR PEDUNCLES (white matter tracts)
Where do all ascending + descending pathways pass through?
contains 9 out of 12 cranial pair nuclei (III to XII, except XI)
What is the roof of the brainstem called (runs along the posterior side of the brainstem)?
Tectum
What is the centre of the brainstem called?
tegmentum
What the anterior aspect that runs the along the whole brainstem called?
The base
What runs in the centre of the brainstem between the awaken tectum and the tegmentum?
Ventricular system
What’s visible in a transverse or horizontal section of the midbrain? (going from posterior to anterior)
→
What’s visible in a transverse or horizontal section of the pons?
→ 4th ventricle
→ middle cerebellar peduncle
→ pontine nuclei
→ transverse fibres + descending pathways
What’s visible in a transverse or horizontal section of the open (upper) medulla? (going from posterior to anterior)
→ 4th ventricle
→ inferior olivary nucleus
What’s visible in a transverse or horizontal section of the closed (lower) medulla? (going from posterior to anterior)
→ dorsal columns
→ central canal
→ decussation of pyramids
What cranial nerves emerge from the midbrain?
→ occulomotor = III
→ trochlear = IV
What cranial nerves emerge from the pons?
→ trigeminal = V
→ abducens = VI
→ facial = VII
→ vestibulocochlear = VIII
What cranial nerves emerge from the medulla?
→ glossopharyngeal = IX
→ vagus = X
→ hypoglossal = XII
What is the difference between the upper + lower parts of the medulla?
→ upper = open posteriorly, due to 4th ventricle
→ lower = closed posteriorly, due to closing up to continue into spinal chord as central canal
What are the 2 arterial systems of the CNS?
→ anterior
→ posterior
What vessels is the anterior arterial system derived from + what does it supply?
Internal carotid, most of the cerebral hemispheres
What vessels is the posterior arterial system derived from + what does it supply?
Vertibrobasilar, brainstem
What does GSA stand for? What kind of fibres are these?
→ General somatic afferent
→ fibres carry general sensation from skin, muscles, joints of head + neck
What does GSE stand for? What kind of fibres are these?
→ General somatic efferent
→ fibres innervate skeletal muscles
What does GVA stand for? What kind of fibres are these?
→ general visceral afferent
→ Fibres carry sensation from viscera of head, neck, thorax, + abdomen
What does GVE stand for? What kind of fibres are these?
→ general visceral efferent
→ fibres are preganglionic parasympathetic neurones to cranial thoracic + abdominal viscera
What does SSA stand for? What kind of fibres are these?
→ special somatic afferent
→ fibres carry special senses of hearing + balance
What does SVA stand for? What kind of fibres are these?
→ special visceral afferent
→ fibres carry taste sensation
What does SVE stand for? What kind of fibres are these?
→ special visceral efferent
→ innervate skeletal muscles of the jaw, face, larynx, pharynx
