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Neuroanatomy Atlas Terms > Brainstem Tracts Flashcards Lower > Flashcards

Brainstem Tracts Flashcards Lower

1
Q

What is the Nucleus Gracilis?

A

The nucleus gracilis is the termination of the dorsal columns (vibration, well-localized touch/pressure) from the lower limbs (the fascicullus gracilis). It is the origin of the medial lemniscus.

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2
Q

What is the Fasciculus Gracilis?

A

The fasciculus gracilis is a tract (part of the dorsal columns) that contains the central process of large-diameter primary sensory nerve fibers conveying vibration sense, well-localized touch and conscious proprioception from the legs.

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3
Q

What is the Fasciculus Cuneatus?

A

The fasciculus cuneatus is a tract (part of the dorsal columns) that contains the central process of large-diameter primary sensory nerve fibers conveying vibration sense, well-localized touch and conscious proprioception from the arms.

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4
Q

What is the Nucleus Cuneatus?

A

The nucleus cuneatus is the termination of first order sensory fibers conveying well-localized touch, vibration & conscious proprioception from arms (the fascicullus cuneatus). It is the origin for many of the internal arcuate fibers that comprise the medial lemniscus.

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5
Q

What is the Spinal Tract of the Trigeminal?

A

The spinal tract of the trigeminal nerve contains first order trigeminal sensory fibers conveying pain and temperature from the ipsilateral side of the face. This tract descends the brain stem to the lower medulla and upper spinal cord.

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6
Q

What is the Spinal Nucleus of the Trigeminal?

A

The spinal nucleus of the trigeminal receives pain and temperature information from the ipsilateral side of the face via the spinal tract of V. It relays information via the ventral trigeminothalamic tract to the contralateral VPM of thalamus.

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7
Q

What is the Lateral Corticospinal Tract?

A

The lateral corticospinal tract arises in the precentral (motor) cortex and consists of nerve fibers (upper motor neurons) involved in control of skilled movements, particularly of the distal limbs.

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8
Q

What is the Central Gray Matter?

A

The central gray extends through the brainstem and is invloved in autonomic reflexes and pain control mechanisms.

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9
Q

What is the Central Canal?

A

The central canal is the remnant of the neural tube, connects the third ventricle to the 4th ventricle & contains CSF. It passes through the midbrain.

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10
Q

What is the Pyramidal Decussation?

A

The pyramidal decussation is the location that nerve fibers in the medullary pyramid cross to enter the lateral corticospinal tract. It can be seen n the ventral surface of the brain at the spinomedullary junction.

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11
Q

What is the Medial Longitudinal Fasciculus?

A

The MLF contains ascending fibers from the vestibular nuclei and eye movement areas (i.e., PPRF) and descending fibers from the superior colliculus (tectospinal), vestibular nuclei (medial vestibulospinal) and reticular formation (pontine reticulospinal) to the cervical spinal cord.

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12
Q

What is the Medullary Pyramid?

A

The medullary pyramids are ridges located on either side of the midline on the ventral side of the medulla, containing fibers of the corticospinal tract.

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13
Q

What is the Ventral Horn?

A

The ventral horn contains the motor neurons for upper cervical nerves.

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14
Q

What are the Medullary Reticulospinal and the Lateral Vestibulospinal Tracts?

A

The medullary reticulospinal & Lateral vestibulospinal tracts descend the spinal cord in the area between the ventral funiculus and lateral funiculus. These tracts go to all spinal levels and are involved in regulating muscle tone. The lateral vestibulospinal tract particularly activates extensor motor neurons.

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15
Q

What are the Spinal Accessory Motor Neurons?

A

This is the location of the neurons (lower motor neurons) of the spinal accessory nerve to the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles.

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16
Q

What is the Ventral Spinocerebellar Tract?

A

The anterior (ventral) spinocerebellar tract arises in the intermediate gray matter of the spinal cord, crosses in the anterior white commissure of the spinal cord, ascends in the ventral part of the lateral funiculus and joins with the superior cerebellar peduncle where it re-crosses.

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17
Q

What is the Spinothalamic Tract?

A

The spinothalamic tract contains the nerve fibers arising in the substantia gelatinosa that convey pain and temperature sensation from the contralateral side of the body. It will terminate in the thalamic VPL.

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18
Q

What is the Rubrospinal Tract?

A

The rubrospinal tracts consist of nerve fibers arising in the red nucleus, crossing in the ventral tegmental decussation and descending to all levels of the spinal cord. They primarily control proximal flexor muscles of the limbs.

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19
Q

What is the Dorsal Spinocerebellar Tract?

A

The posterior (dorsal) spinocerebellar tract is a tract conveying muscle stretch and tension information from the lower portion of the body. It begins in neurons of the nucleus dorsalis (of Clarke) and projects through the inferior cerebellar peduncle to the cerebellum. It ends somatotopically in the spinocerebellum.

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20
Q

What is the Reticular Formation?

A

The reticular formation is a large area of (phylogenetically) ancient brain that represents and integrating center for behavioral and autonomic responses. It regulate muscle tone, contains centers for respiration and cardiovascular control and many neurons that participate in routine activities such as gait, regulation of muscle tone and patterning of complex reflexes (such as cough, sneeze, vomiting, etc)

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21
Q

What is the Nucleus Ambiguus?

A

The nucleus ambiguus is a difficult to define nucleus that contains the motor neurons to muscles of the pharynx, larynx and palate and that are contained in the CNIX, CNX and the cranial part of CNXI (which, in humans, travel in CNX).

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22
Q

What are the Internal Arcuate Fibers?

A

Internal arcuate fibers are decussating second order sensory fibers arising from neurons in the dorsal column nuclei (nucleus cuneatus and gracilis). These fibers will terminate in the VPL of the thalamus and convey well-localized touch, vibration and joint position sense.

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23
Q

What is the Hypoglossal Nucleus?

A

The hypoglossal nucleus contains motor neurons for the hypoglossal nerve.

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24
Q

What is the Dorsal Motor Nucleus of the Vagus Nerve?

A

The dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve contains parasympathetic motor neurons for the vagus and glossopharyngeal nerves. It is rostrally continuous with the salivatory nuclei, which sends fibers into CNIX and CNVII.

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25
Q

What is the External (Lateral) Cuneate Nucleus?

A

The external (lateral) cuneate nucleus consists of a group of neurons that receive proprioceptive (muscle stretch and tension) information from the upper limb and give rise to a tract (cuneocerebellar tr.) that courses through the ipsilateral restiform body to the spinocerebellum.

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26
Q

What is the Inferior Olivary Nucleus?

A

The inferior olivary nucleus is the origin for all cerebellar climbing fibers. This is a relay that receives input from all areas of the motor system (from cortex to spinal cord) and relays this to the cerebellum. Heavily involved in coordination of voluntray movements.

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27
Q

What is the Arcuate Nucleus?

A

The arcuate nucleus is a collection of cells in the pyramid that relay nerve fibers to the cerebellum.

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28
Q

What is the Solitary Nucleus?

A

The solitary nucleus (nucleus tractus solitarius) is the nucleus of termination of visceral afferent fibers (baroreceptor, chemoreceptor, etc.) in CNX and CNIX. Rostrally, it is continuous with the gustatory nuclei (termination of taste from CNVII and CNIX). It surrounds the solitary tract.

29
Q

What is the Solitary Tract?

A

The solitary tract (tractus solitarius) contains visceral afferent fibers (baroreceptor, chemoreceptor, taste etc.) in CNVII, CNX and CNIX on their way to the solitary nucleus.

30
Q

What is the Inferior Cerebellar Peduncle?

A

The inferior cerebellar peduncle (restiform body) is a bundle of fibers connecting the medulla to the cerebellum, through which olivocerebellar, vestibulocerebellar and almost all spinocerebellar fibers enter the cerebellum. Some projections from the fastigeal nucleus of the cerebellum reach the brainstem through this peduncle.

31
Q

What is the Dorsal Longitudinal Fasciculus?

A

The dorsal longitudinal fasciculus (Schultz) is a pathway that runs the length of the brainstem through the periventricular gray matter that principally conveys nerve fibers controlling autonomic functions from the hypothalamus to brainstem nuclei.

32
Q

What are the Olivocerebellar Fibers?

A

The olivocerebellar fibers arise from the inferior olivary nucleus. They decussate, coursing through the contralateral inferior cerebellar peduncle (as the juxtarestiform body) to the cerebellar cortex. They terminate as climbing fibers in the cerebellar cortex.

33
Q

What is the Stria Medularis of the Fourth Ventricle?

A

The stria medullaris of the fourth ventricle are several small transverse ridges seen on the floor of the fourth ventricle around the medullary pontine junction. These are comprised of decussating fibers arising in the cochlear nuclei.

34
Q

What are the Cochlear Nuclei?

A

The cochlear nuclei are the termination of the auditory nerve fibers that arise in the cochlea. The neurons in the cochlear nuclei are the projection neurons whose fibers comprise the second order sensory neurons in the auditory pathway. These fibers will take several pathways. Some will terminate in the superior olivary nucleus. Some will decussate in the trapezoid body and follow the lateral lemniscus. Some will cross in the stria medullaris of the fourth ventricle. The cochlear nuclei comprise the accoustic tubercle that can be seen grossly on the dorsal aspect of the inferior cerebellar peduncle.

35
Q

What is the Inferior Salivatory Nucleus?

A

The inferior salivatory nucleus is the origin for general viscereal efferent (parasympathetic) nerve fibers in the glossopharyngeal nerve. They go to the paroitid gland primarily.

36
Q

What is the Granule Cell Layer?

A

The granule cell layer is the layer of the cerebellar cortex containing granule cells upon which mossy fibers terminate.

37
Q

What is the Molecular Cell Layer?

A

The molecular layer of the cerebellar cortex is the layer closest to the surface, containing parallel fibers (from granule cells), the dendrites of Purkinji cells, stellate cells and basket cells.

38
Q

What is the Vestibular Nuclei

A

The vestibular nuclei ( often termed the vestibular complex because there are several subnuclei) are the termination of fibers in the vestibular nerve and the origin for pathways that control eye movement through the MLF and posture through vestibulospinal pathways.

39
Q

What is the Fastigeal Nucleus?

A

The fastigeal nucleus is a deep cerebellar nucleus that receives input from the cerebellar vermis and connects to the brainstem reticular formation and vestibular nuclei via pathways in both the superior and inferior peduncles.

40
Q

What is the Interposed Nuclei aka Globose and Emboliform Nuclei?

A

The globose and emboliform nuclei (AKA, interposed nuclei) are deep cerebellar nuclei that receive input from the intermediate zone of the cerebellum, esp. spinocerebellum, and makes output through the superior cerebellar peduncle mostly to the red nucleus.

41
Q

What is the Superior Cerebellar Peduncle?

A

The superior cerebellar peduncle is the primary output pathway for the cerebellum. Projections from the dentate nucleus to the thalamic VL and interposed nuclei (aka globose/emboliform nuclei) to the red nuclei traverse this path. Also known as the brachium conjunctivum.

42
Q

What is the Middle Cerebellar Peduncle?

A

The middle cerebellar peduncles make up the bulk of the basal pons (the most obvious feature of the pons). Conveys afferent nerve fibers from the contralateral pontine nuclei to the cerebellum. This is mostly involved in communicating cerebral cortical activity to the cerebellum. Also known as the brachium pontis.

43
Q

What is the Superior Olivary Nucleus?

A

The superior olivary nucleus is one of the main relay nuclei in the auditory pathway. It gives rise to fibers that project ipsilaterally to the inferior colliculus and contralaterally through the trapezoid body. Cells in this nucleus are also the origin of olivocochlear bundle (can change sensitivity of inner ear hair cells).

44
Q

What is the Central Tegmenal Bundle?

A

The central tegmental tract (bundle) is a pathway that provides reciprocal connections between structures in the midbrain and more caudal levels of the nervous system.

45
Q

What is the Nucleus Centralis Superioris?

A

The nucleus centralis superioris is a raphe nucleus. It contains neurons that manufacture serotonin, an important neurotransmitter in sleep, depression, pain control and headache. The neurons have widespread ramifications within the nervous system, terminating in more than 100 nuclei and regions.

46
Q

What is the Trapezoid Body?

A

The trapezoid body contains decussating fibers of the auditory system.

47
Q

What are Cortico Efferent Nerve Fibers?

A

Cortical efferent nerve fibers are nerve fibers arising in the cerebral cortex and terminating in the spinal cord (corticospinal or pyramidal) or brain stem (corticobulbar).

48
Q

What are the Pontine Nuclei (Pontine Gray Matter)?

A

The pontine nuclei (pontine gray matter) receives afferent connections from diverse areas of the cerebral cortex and gives rise to projections to the contralateral cerebellar hemispheres through the middle peduncle.

49
Q

What is the Anterior (Superior) Medullary Velum?

A

The anterior (superior) medullary velum forms the roof of the rostral part of the fourth ventricle. It stretches between the superior cerebellar peduncles.

50
Q

What is the Mesencephalic Nucleus and Tract of the Trigeminal?

A

The mesencephalic nucleus and tract of the trigeminal is the first order proprioceptive neurons and their processes entering the brain with the trigeminal nerve. The tract fibers are unique since they have not reached their sensory ganglion cells. The ganglion cells are located in the mesencephalic nucleus of V which is adjacent to the tract at the ventrolateral aspect of the periaqueductal gray matter.

51
Q

What is the Trigeminal Motor Nucleus?

A

The trigeminal motor nucleus is the location of motor neurons whose axons are contained in the trigeminal nerve.

52
Q

What is the Locus Ceruleus?

A

The locus ceruleus is the largest collection of noradrenergic neurons in the brain. These neurons are the source of norepinephrine in over 100 different brain regions. The later means “blue spot” since this area is pigmented in the unstained brain.

53
Q

What are Pontocerebellar Fibers?

A

The pontocerebellar fibers are the decussating fibers of that arise in the pontine nuclei (gray), traverse the middle cerebellar peduncle (brachium pontis) and terminate in the cerebellar cortex.

54
Q

What is the Lateral Lemniscus?

A

The lateral lemniscusis a tract conveys 2nd order (and other higher order) auditory fibers on the way to the inferior colliculus.

55
Q

What is the Periaqueductal Gray?

A

The periaqueductal gray is the collection of neurons around the cerebral aqueduct. Contains many neurons with opiate receptors and gives rise to pathways that activate endogenous pain suppression mechanisms.

56
Q

What is the Raphe Nucleus?

A

This is one of the raphe nuclei. These nuclei, located in the midline of the brain stem, contain neurons that utilize serotonin as their primary neurotransmitter. The distribute this neuromodulator to many areas of the brain and spinal cord.

57
Q

What is the Inferior Colliculus?

A

The inferior colliculus is an important relay center for auditory information.

58
Q

What is the path of the Trochlear Nerve?

A

The trochlear nerve arises from a nucleus near the MLF and the fibers arch dorsally around the cerebral aqueduct, decussate and leave the dorsal aspect of the brain stem.

59
Q

What is the Commisure of the Inferior Colliculus?

A

The commissure of the inferior colliculus connects the two inferior colliculi and provides one of several places where auditory signals can become bilateral.

60
Q

What is the Interpeduncle Nucleus?

A

The interpeduncular nucleus receives most of its input from the habenular nuclei (habenulointerpeduncular tract) and is believed to provide one pathway for limbic control of some brain stem functions, such as autonomic reactions to emotional stimuli. It is located between the cerebral peduncles in the midbrain.

61
Q

What is the Substantia Nigra?

A

The substantia nigra consists of a pars compacta (containing dopamine neurons) and reticulata (an output nucleus for the basal ganglia, rather similar in neuronal structure and function to the globus pallidus). Loss of dopamine synthesizing neurons in this area is responsible for Parkinson’s disease.

62
Q

What is the Commissure of the Superior Colliculus?

A

The commissure of the superior colliculus is a connection between the superior colliculi.

63
Q

What is the Superior Colliculus?

A

The superior colliculus is located in the dorsal midbrain (part of the tectum). It is a reflex center, which receives many types of afferent input (especially visual) and projects to eye movement centers and to cervical muscles (tectospinal tract).

64
Q

What is the Medial Geniculate?

A

The medial geniculate is a thalamic nucleus located lateral and anterior to the midbrain and at the posterior-most part of the thalamus (metathalamus). It is a principal auditory relay site and projects to the primary auditory cortex (transverse gyrus of Heschel).

65
Q

What is the Occulomotor Nucleus?

A

The oculomotor nucleus contains the somatic motor neurons that exit in the oculomotor nerve and control the medial, inferior and superior rectus muscles along with the inferior oblique and levator palpebrae muscle.

66
Q

What is the Cerebral Aqueduct?

A

The cerebral aqueduct (Sylvius) conveys cerebrospinal fluid from the 3rd ventricle through the midbrain to the 4th ventricle.

67
Q

What is the Edinger-Westphal Nucleus?

A

The Edinger-Westphal nucleus contains the preganglionic parasympathetic motor neurons that are going to innervate the cilliary muscle (make the lens round) and the constrictor of the pupil.

68
Q

What is the Ventral Tegmental Area?

A

The ventral tegmental area is a region containing many dopaminergic neurons projecting to the ventral striatum (nucleus accumbens) and to the forebrain (as the mesolimbic and mesocortical dopaminergic reward system). This system is critical to the regulation of mood and motivation.

69
Q

What is the Red Nucleus?

A

The red nucleus receives input from the cerebral cortex, cerebellum and brain stem and gives rise to the rubrospinal tract that helps to control proximal flexor muscles.

Neuroanatomy Atlas Terms (3 decks)

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