Brainstem Overview

Question 1

How do signs and sxs present if if the cranial nerve is damaged?

Answer 1

Usually present ipsilateral to the lesion

Question 2

What type of motor neuron signs will you display (UMN or LMN) if the nucleus or nerve fibers of CN’s are lesioned?

Answer 2

You will present with lower motor nerve signs (hyporeflexia, atrophy)

Question 3

What type of signs will you present with if corticobulbar fibers are causing the impairment?

Answer 3

Upper motor neuron signs

Question 4

What are the long tracts?

Answer 4

Corticospinal
Dorsal Column/Medial lemniscal
Spinothalamic

Question 5

How do long tract signs present with a lesion?

Answer 5

contralateral to lesion

Question 6

What features are seen at every level of the brainstem?

Answer 6

Reticular formation
Medial Lemniscus
Spinothalamic tract
Corticospinal tract

Question 7

What is the Trigeminal complex?

Answer 7

Parallels sensation system for rest of the body but for the face

Question 8

What type of central connections are there with the Trigeminal system?

Answer 8

extensive central connections

Question 9

What levels of the SC/brainstem do the nuclei related to the trigeminal system stretch to?

Answer 9

From midbrain to C3 level of spinal cord