Brainstem Structures and Functions Flashcards
Superior Colliculus
Midbrain
- control of reflex movements that orient eyes, head, and neck in response to visual, auditory, and somatic stimuli
Periaqueductal gray matter
Midbrain
- processing of autonomic and limbic activities, as well as modulation of nociception
Aqueduct
Midbrain
- passageway connecting 3rd and 4th ventricles
Nucleus of Edinger-Westphal
Midbrain
- Parasympathetic innervation of the eye to constrict the iris and to the ciliary muscle to alter lens shape for accommodation
CN III nuclei and nerve
Midbrain
- motor control of eye muscles
Spinothalamic tract
Midbrain
- fiber pathway to thalamus for pain/temperature from periphery
Medial lemniscus
Midbrain
- sensory pathway for proprioception connecting the nucleus gracilis and cutaneatus with the thalamus
Medial geniculate
Midbrain
- Thalamic relay nuclei for auditory information
Lateral geniculate
Midbrain
- thalamic relay nuclei for visual information
Cerebral peduncle
Midbrain
- fiber bundles of the corticospinal tract connecting the cerebral cortex to the brainstem
Optic tract
Midbrain
- optic fibers from optic chiasm to the lateral geniculate
substantia nigra
Midbrain
- one of several nuclei involved in smooth motor control; degenerates in Parkinson’s disease
Red nucleus
Midbrain
- relay nuclei between the cerabellum to the thalamus
Medial longitudinal fasiculus
Midbrain
- fiber pathway between the vestibular nuclei and the CN nuclei III, IV, VI to coordinate hand/eye movements
Superior cerebellar peduncle
Pons
- fiber pathway to and from the cerebellum
Middle cerebellar peduncle
Pons
- fiber pathway to and from the cerebellum
Mesencephalic/ Main sensory nucleus/ Motor nucleus of CN V
Pons
- three nuclear components of the trigeminal nerve nuclei
CN V
Pons
- Motor and sensory fibers
Pontine nuclei
Pons
-Collection of neurons in the pons that receive input from the neocortex and send crossing fibers through the middle cerebellar peduncle
Locus coeruleus
Pons
- a noradrenergic brainstem nucleus involved in mood, sleep/wake cycle
Raphe nucleus pontis
Pons
- one of several serotonin type nuclei involved in mood, sleep/wake cycle
Corticospinal tract
Pons
- motor fibers from neocortex to spinal interneurons and lower motor neurons
Inferior and medial vestibular nuclei
Upper medulla
- nuclei of the vestibular system that regulate balance
Nucleus and tractus solitarius
Upper medulla
- sensory nucleus for taste (from CN VII), glands, chemo/baroreceptors (CNs IX, X)
Dorsal motor nucleus vagus (CN X)
Upper medulla
- parasympathetic motor nucleus to lungs and gut
Spinal nucleus and tract of CN V
Upper medulla
- nuclear and tract components of CN V that extends down into the upper cervical spinal cord
Inferior olivary nucleus
Upper medulla
- origin of the climbing fibers to the cerebellar purkinje cells
Pyramid
Upper medulla
- Corticospinal tract fibers in the medulla
Reticular Formation
Upper medulla
- a network of neurons and axons that reside in the brain stem tegmentum involved in arousal, respiration, heart rate control
Nucleus CN IX
Lower medulla
- glossopharyngeal nucleus with motor control over tongue and pharyngeal muscles with taste from posterior 1/3 of tongue
