Brainstem Structures and Functions

Question 1

Superior Colliculus

Answer 1

Midbrain

- control of reflex movements that orient eyes, head, and neck in response to visual, auditory, and somatic stimuli

Question 2

Periaqueductal gray matter

Answer 2

Midbrain

- processing of autonomic and limbic activities, as well as modulation of nociception

Question 3

Aqueduct

Answer 3

Midbrain

- passageway connecting 3rd and 4th ventricles

Question 4

Nucleus of Edinger-Westphal

Answer 4

Midbrain
- Parasympathetic innervation of the eye to constrict the iris and to the ciliary muscle to alter lens shape for accommodation

Question 5

CN III nuclei and nerve

Answer 5

Midbrain

- motor control of eye muscles

Question 6

Spinothalamic tract

Answer 6

Midbrain

- fiber pathway to thalamus for pain/temperature from periphery

Question 7

Medial lemniscus

Answer 7

Midbrain

- sensory pathway for proprioception connecting the nucleus gracilis and cutaneatus with the thalamus

Question 8

Medial geniculate

Answer 8

Midbrain

- Thalamic relay nuclei for auditory information

Question 9

Lateral geniculate

Answer 9

Midbrain

- thalamic relay nuclei for visual information

Question 10

Cerebral peduncle

Answer 10

Midbrain

- fiber bundles of the corticospinal tract connecting the cerebral cortex to the brainstem

Question 11

Optic tract

Answer 11

Midbrain

- optic fibers from optic chiasm to the lateral geniculate

Question 12

substantia nigra

Answer 12

Midbrain

- one of several nuclei involved in smooth motor control; degenerates in Parkinson’s disease

Question 13

Red nucleus

Answer 13

Midbrain

- relay nuclei between the cerabellum to the thalamus

Question 14

Medial longitudinal fasiculus

Answer 14

Midbrain

- fiber pathway between the vestibular nuclei and the CN nuclei III, IV, VI to coordinate hand/eye movements

Question 15

Superior cerebellar peduncle

Answer 15

Pons

- fiber pathway to and from the cerebellum

Question 16

Middle cerebellar peduncle

Answer 16

Pons

- fiber pathway to and from the cerebellum

Question 17

Mesencephalic/ Main sensory nucleus/ Motor nucleus of CN V

Answer 17

Pons

- three nuclear components of the trigeminal nerve nuclei

Question 18

CN V

Answer 18

Pons

- Motor and sensory fibers

Question 19

Pontine nuclei

Answer 19

Pons
-Collection of neurons in the pons that receive input from the neocortex and send crossing fibers through the middle cerebellar peduncle

Question 20

Locus coeruleus

Answer 20

Pons

- a noradrenergic brainstem nucleus involved in mood, sleep/wake cycle

Question 21

Raphe nucleus pontis

Answer 21

Pons

- one of several serotonin type nuclei involved in mood, sleep/wake cycle

Question 22

Corticospinal tract

Answer 22

Pons

- motor fibers from neocortex to spinal interneurons and lower motor neurons

Question 23

Inferior and medial vestibular nuclei

Answer 23

Upper medulla

- nuclei of the vestibular system that regulate balance

Question 24

Nucleus and tractus solitarius

Answer 24

Upper medulla

- sensory nucleus for taste (from CN VII), glands, chemo/baroreceptors (CNs IX, X)

Question 25

Dorsal motor nucleus vagus (CN X)

Answer 25

Upper medulla

- parasympathetic motor nucleus to lungs and gut

Question 26

Spinal nucleus and tract of CN V

Answer 26

Upper medulla

- nuclear and tract components of CN V that extends down into the upper cervical spinal cord

Question 27

Inferior olivary nucleus

Answer 27

Upper medulla

- origin of the climbing fibers to the cerebellar purkinje cells

Question 28

Pyramid

Answer 28

Upper medulla

- Corticospinal tract fibers in the medulla

Question 29

Reticular Formation

Answer 29

Upper medulla
- a network of neurons and axons that reside in the brain stem tegmentum involved in arousal, respiration, heart rate control

Question 30

Nucleus CN IX

Answer 30

Lower medulla

- glossopharyngeal nucleus with motor control over tongue and pharyngeal muscles with taste from posterior 1/3 of tongue