Lecture 11: Brainstem Networks Flashcards
What arises from the mesencephalon?
The midbrain.
What arises from the metencephalon?
The pons and the cerebellum.
What arises from the myelencephalon?
The medulla oblongata.
Which division of the brainstem is involved in vision, hearing and motor control?
The midbrain.
Which division of the brainstem is the pneumotaxic centre (involved in rhythmic respiratory control)?
The pons.
Which division of the brainstem is involved in cardiac function, respiratory function, vasomotor function and vomiting?
The medulla oblongata.
Which aqueduct runs through the midbrain?
The cerebral aqueduct.
Where is the red nucleus located?
In the midbrain.
Why is the red nucleus red?
It contains numerous blood vessels.
Where does the red nucleus receive inputs from?
The cerebrum and the cerebellum.
What does the red nucleus do?
It issues subconscious motor commands that are involved in muscle tone and posture.
Which contains melanin, the Substantia nigra or the red nucleus?
The Substantia nigra.
The midbrain has two systems of dopaminergic neurons, what are they?
The nigrostriatal system (from Substantia nigra to striatum - motor coordination)
&
The mesolimbic system (involved in behavioural reward)
The pons contains sensory and motor nuclei for which 4 cranial nerves?
Trigeminal (V)
Abducens (VI)
Facial (VII)
Auditory/Vestibular (VIII)
What are the two ridges of the medulla oblongata called?
The medullary pyramids.
The medullary pyramids are formed of what?
Large motor corticospinal tracts.
Where do the fibres of the large motor corticospinal tracts decussate (cross-over)?
Just above the junction between the spinal cord and the medulla.
Name the two main autonomic nuclei in the medulla oblongata and an additional one.
Cardiovascular centres
Respiratory rhythmicity centres.
Extra options: emesis (vomiting), deglutition (swallowing), coughing, hiccuping and sneezing.
The medulla oblongata contains the sensory and motor nuclei of which 5 cranial nerves?
Auditory/Vestibular (VIII) Glossopharyngeal (IX) Vagus (X) Accessory (XI) Hypoglossal (XII)
Which two relay nuclei in the medulla oblongata pass somatosensory information to the thalamus?
The nucleus gracilis and the nucleus cuneatus.
Which relay nuclei of the medulla oblongata relay info from the spinal cord, brainstem and cerebral cortex to the cerebellar cortex?
The olivary nuclei.
Which two tracts are involved in voluntary movement?
Lateral corticospinal tract
&
Ventral corticospinal tract
Which motor pathway is related to equilibrium and antigravity reflexes?
Vestibulospinal tract.
Where does the vestibulospinal tract originate?
In the vestibular nuclei of the medulla.
