Ch 14 Hindbrain/Midbrain Flashcards
Medulla oblongata function
relay sensory information, controls heart rate, regulates blood pressure, motor control
Regions of the medulla oblongata
pyramids, anterior median fissure, pyramidal decussation
Pyramid function
sends information from one side of the brain to the other
Decussation definition
crossing over of neural pathways from one side to the other
Cardiovascular center function
regulate heart rate and force of contraction
Respiratory center function
set the basic pace of respiratory movements
Pons function
respiratory control, sleep regulation, relay station for brain signals
Midbrain function
sensory processing, motor control, connects brain regions
Superior colliculi function
visual reflex
Inferior colliculi function
auditory reflex
Substantia nigra function
relays inhibitory signals to the thalamus to help smooth out our movements
What does the substantia nigra contain a lot of?
melanin
What does the red nucleus contain a lot of?
blood vessels
Red nucleus function
connections to the cerebellum allow collaboration in fine motor control
What houses the red nucleus?
tegmentum
Function of peduncles
connection of brain regions
What does the cerebral peduncles connect
cerebrum to the brainstem
How many cerebellar peduncles are there?
3; superior, middle, and inferior
What does the superior cerebellar peduncles connect?
cerebellum to midbrain
What does the middle cerebellar peduncles connect?
cerebellum to pons
What does the inferior cerebellar peduncles connect?
cerebellum to medulla oblongata
Where is reticular formation
pons, midbrain, and medulla
Reticular formation function
regulates vital autonomic functions
Cerebellum functions
motor skill memory, coordinate movement, send corrective information to motor areas of cerebrum
Folia definition
folds in the cerebellum
Arbor vitae definition
branches of white matter in the cerebellum
Vermis definition
connects left and right cerebellar hemispheres
Ataxia definition
lack of voluntary coordination of muscle movements due to alcohol
Autonomic centers definition
neural regions controlling involuntary body functions
3 relay stations
olivary nucleus, cuneate nucleus, gracile nucleus
What are relay stations?
neural structures that receive sensory signals, process and transfer information, and route signals to appropriate brain regions
What does the brainstem consist of?
Medulla oblongata, pons, midbrain
Descending tracts definition
carry motor commands from higher centers to nuclei of cranial or spinal nerves
Ascending tracts definition
carry sensory information from brainstem nuclei to the thalamus
Transverse cerebellar fibers function
interconnect cerebellar hemispheres
Apneustic and pneumotaxic centers function
adjust activities of the respiratory rhythmicity centers in the medulla oblongata
Nuclei of cranial nerves V-VIII function
relay sensory information and issue somatic motor commands
Somatic definition
relating to the body
What 2 parts make up the tectum?
inferior and superior colliculi
Cerebral crus function
connects cerebrum to pons
Cerebral aqueduct function
cerebrospinal fluid circulation
Reticular activating system (RAS) function
controls alertness and sleep-wake cycles; determines which sounds cause alertness
Decussation pyramid function
contralateral motor control
