Chapter 5 - Brainstem

Question 1

Important openings in the base of the skull

Answer 1

Question 2

The brainstem is located at which area of the skull

Answer 2

posterior cranial fossa of the skull

Question 3

The brainstem is composed of

Answer 3

(1) medulla oblongata
(2) pons
(3) midbrain

Question 4

Brainstem Functions

Answer 4

(1) it serves as a conduit for the ascending tracts and descending tracts connecting the spinal cord to the different parts of the highter centers in the forebrain

(2) it contains important reflex centers associated with the control of respiration and the cardiovascular system and with the control of consciousness

(3) contains the important nuclei of CNs III through XII

Question 5

(True/False)

The central canal of the spinal cord continues
upward Into the lower half of the medulla;

In the upper half of the medulla, It expands as the cavity of the fourth ventricle.

Answer 5

True

Question 6

Fissure at the anterior surface of the medulla is called (1), swellings on each side are (2)

Answer 6

(1) anterior median fissure
(2) pyramids

pyramids taper inferiorly where majority of the descending fibers cross over to the other side forming the decussation of the pyramids

Question 7

Oval elevations in the medulla oblongata produced by the underlying inferior olivary nucleus - posterolateral to the pyramids

Answer 7

Olives

Question 8

Connect the medulla to the cerebellum; posterior to the olives

Answer 8

inferior cerebellar peduncle

Question 9

Hypoglossal nerve rootlets

Answer 9

in the groove between the pyramid and the olive

Question 10

Where the roots of the glossopharyngeal, vagus, and the cranial roots of the accessory nerve emerge

Answer 10

the groove between the olive and the inferior cerebellar peduncle

Question 10

Where the roots of the glossopharyngeal, vagus, and the cranial roots of the accessory nerve emerge

Answer 10

the groove between the olive and the inferior cerebellar peduncle

Question 11

Posterior structures of the medulla oblongata

Answer 11

(1) posterior median sulcus

(2) gracile tubercle - produced by the underlying gracile nucleus

(3) cuneate tubercle - produced by the underlying cuneate nucleus

Question 12

Levels of the medulla oblongata and their major structures

Answer 12

Question 13

Nuclei at the level of the olives

at inferior part of the 4th ventricle

Answer 13

• olivary nuclei complex
• nuclei of the vestibulochoclear, glossopharyngeal, vagus, accessory, and hypoglossal nerves
• arcuate nuclei
• Nucleus ambiguous

Question 14

What nuclei consist of large motor neurons situated deep within the reticular formation where emerging nerve fibers join CN 9, 10, & 11 to voluntary skeletal muscle

Answer 14

Nucleus Ambiguus