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Medicine Year 2 > HNN Topic 5 - Cerebellum and Brainstem > Flashcards

HNN Topic 5 - Cerebellum and Brainstem Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the position of the cerebellum

A

‘Little brain’, at same level as but posterior to pons, under occipital + temporal lobes of the cerebral cortex

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2
Q

Describe the function of the pons

A
  • Pontine nucleus - connect cerebrum to cerebellum, coordinate voluntary movement
  • CN nuclei -
    • Trigeminal (V)
    • Abducens (VI)
    • Facial (VII)
    • Vestibulocochlear (VIII)
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3
Q

Describe the function of the gracile fasciculus

A

Posterior structure formed by the gracile nucleus, relays sensory information from the lower body to the thalamus via the medial lemniscus pathway

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4
Q

List the components of the midbrain

A
  1. Tectum (or corpora quadrigemina)
  2. Tegmentum
  3. Ventricular mesocoelia (cerebral aqueduct)
  4. Cerebral peduncles
  5. Nuclei + fasciculi
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5
Q

What forms the medullary pyramids?

A
  • Elevation of the corticospinal tract
  • In lower part of medulla 85% of fibres cross over at the decussation of the pyramids (covers the anterior median fissure)
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6
Q

List the main nuclei of the cerebellum

A
  1. Fastigal nucleus
  2. Interposed nuclei - emboliform and globose nuclei
  3. Dentate nucleus
  4. Vestibular nucleus
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7
Q

Describe the components and function of the vestibulocerebellum

A
  • Flocculonodular lobe + connections
  • Involved with vestibular organs e.g. in vestibuloocular reflex
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8
Q

Describe the function of the cuneate fasciculus

A

Posterior structure formed by the cuneate nucleus, relays sensory information from the upper body to the thalamus via the medial lemniscus

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9
Q

List the general functions of the cerebellum

A
  1. Maintenance of balance and posture
  2. Coordinating voluntary movements
  3. Motor learning
  4. Cognitive functions
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10
Q

Describe the gross anatomical structure of the cerebellum

A
  • Two hemispheres divided by the vermis - narrow midline area
  • Cerebellar deep nuclei (grey matter) encased by a highly convoluted sheet of tissue - cerebellar cortex
  • Characterised by intricate pattern of folds and fissures
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11
Q

What are the components of the internal anatomy of the pons?

A
  1. Ventral pons
  2. Tegmentum
  3. Tracts
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12
Q

What would be the effect of damage to the tegmentum of the pons?

A

Anosgnia for hemiplagia - unawareness of paralysis

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13
Q

What is the function of the olivary nucleus?

A

Relays sensory information to the cerebellum via the inferior cerebellar peduncles

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14
Q

Describe the location and function of the cerebral peduncles

A
  • On either side of the midbrain anteriorly
  • Connect the thalamic nuclei to the rest of the midbrain
  • Assist in motor refinement, motor skill learning and converting proprioceptive information to balance and posture maintenace
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15
Q

Describe the structure and function of the tectum of the midbrain

A
  • Superior and inferior colliculi
  • Posterior portion
  • Superior colliculus = visual processing and eye movement (e.g. tracking)
  • Inferior colliculus = auditory processing
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16
Q

List the tracts which pass through the pons

A
  • Corticospinal
  • Corticobulbar
  • Medial lemniscus
  • Spinothalamic
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17
Q

Describe the components (input and output) and function of the spinocerebellum

A
  • Vermis and intermediate zones
  • Input from the spinocerebellar tract
  • Output to rubrospinal, vestibulospinal + reticulospinal tracts
  • Integration of sensory input (proprioception), error correction, adaptive motor coordination
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18
Q

List the functional centres of the medulla and explain their functions

A
  1. Cardiac centre - regulates HR and contractility
  2. Respiratory centre - regulatrs respiratory movements
  3. Vasomotor centre - regulates BV diameter
  4. Reflex centres - vomiting, sneezing, coughing, swallowing
19
Q

Describe the ventral pons

A

Contains the pontine nucleus (coordinates movement) - fibres cross at midline and form the cerebellar peduncles

20
Q

How is the cerebellum involved with cognitive functions?

A

E.g. language - role not understood

21
Q

What are the medullary olives?

A
  • Large masses of grey matter lateral to the pyramids
  • Contain the inferior olivary nucleus
22
Q

What is the function of the reticular formation of the pons?

A

Involved in regulating sleep-wake cycle and filtering incoming stimuli

23
Q

Describe the structure and function of the tegmentum of the midbrain

A
  • Many unconscious/reflexive pathways, motor centre that relays inhibitory signals to the thalamus/basal ganglia to prevent unwanted movement
  • Extends from substantia nigra to the cerebral aqueduct
  • Contains nuclei of oculomotor and trochlear cranial nerves
24
Q

Describe the other functions of the medulla

A
  • Houses the special sense nuclei - gustatory nucleus (taste), cochlear nucleus (hearing) and vestibular nucleus (balance)
  • Cranial nerve nuclei - glossopharyngeal, vagus, accessory, hypoglossal
25
Q

List the surface features of the medulla oblongata

A
  1. Pyramids
  2. Olives
  3. Gracile fasciculus
  4. Cuneate fasciculus
26
Q

Describe the relation of the pons to the cerebellum

A
  • Pons connected to cerebellum on posterior surface by the middle cerebellar peduncles
  • The structures are separated by the 4th ventricle
27
Q

List the areas of the midbrain and their functions

A
  • Superior colliculus - visual response
  • Inferior colliculus - auditory response
  • Tegmentum - fine motor function
  • Substantia nigra - coordination of movement
  • Red nucleus - subconscious movement
  • CN nuclei
    • Oculomotor (III)
    • Trochlear (IV)
28
Q

Describe the location and components of the brainstem

A
  • Most inferior part of brain, continuous with brain to form spinal cord
  • Components:
    • Midbrain
    • Pons
    • Medulla oblongata
29
Q

Describe the tegmentum of the pons

A

Forms part of the reticular formation - responsible for arousal and attentiveness

30
Q

Describe the zones of the cerebellum

A
  • Either side of the vermis = intermediate zone
  • Laterally - lateral hemispheres
  • No clear gross morphological border between
31
Q

List the parts of the reticular formation

A
  • Raphe nucleus
  • Magnocellular red nucleus
  • Parvocellular reticular nucleus
32
Q

Describe the appearance of the pons

A

Appears as a broad anterior bulge rostral to the medulla

33
Q

Describe the components (input and output) and function of the cerebrocerebellum

A
  • Lateral hemispheres and dentate nuclei
  • Connections with cerebral cortex
  • Planning and timing of movements, motor learning
  • Input - cerebral cortex, pontine nuclei
  • Output - thalamus, red nuclei
34
Q

How does the cerebellum contribute to the coordination of voluntary movement?

A

Coordinates timing and force of muscle groups to produce fluid movements, receives sensory input to adjust movements for error correction

35
Q

How is the cerebellum divided anatomically?

A
  • Anterior, posterior and flocculonodular lobes
  • Anterior and posterior lobes divided by primary fissure
  • Posterior and flocculonodular lobes divided by the posterolateral fissure
36
Q

Describe the important anatomical structures of the pons

A
  1. Basilar groove - midline, where basilar artery is located
  2. Pontomedullary junction - angle between lower border of pons + superior border of medulla
37
Q

List the functional divisions of the cerebellum

A
  1. Vestibulocerebellum
  2. Spinocerebellum
  3. Cerebrocerebellum
38
Q

Which cranial nerves originate from the pons?

A
  1. Trigeminal (V)
  2. Abducens (VI)
  3. Facial (VII)
  4. Vestibulocochlear
39
Q

List the ways in which the cerebellum can be divided

A
  1. Anatomically
  2. By zones
  3. Functionally
40
Q

How does the cerebellum contribute to maintenance balance and posture?

A

Input from vestibular, visual and proprioceptors, modulates commands to motor neurons to adjust posture in order to maintain balance

41
Q

Describe the attachments of the midbrain

A

Attached to diencephalon above and pons below

42
Q

Describe the location of the pons

A

Above medulla, below midbrain, anterior to cerebellum

43
Q

Which structural feature is seen on the anterior surface of the medulla?

A

Anterior median fissure

44
Q

Describe the position of the medulla oblongata

A
  • Most inferior part of the brainstem, continuous with the pons above and spinal cord below
  • Exits skull through foramen magnum

Medicine Year 2 (41 decks)

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