Lecture 11: Brainstem Nuclei Flashcards
Why is the cerebral peduncle/cerebral crus important?
Because it is part of the pathway of the corticospinal tracts
What nerve exits between the midbrain and the pons?
The Oculomotor Nerve CN III
Where does CN III exit the brainstem?
Between the midbrain and the pons
What is the pons mainly made of?
Ascending and descending axon tracts that connect to the cerebellum
What part of the brainstem is mainly made of ascending and descending axon tracts that connect to the cerebellum?
The pons
What exits laterally on the pons?
The trigeminal nerve V
Where does the trigeminal nerve V exit the brainstem?
Laterally on the pons
What is the function of the basilar groove?
It is the part of the brainstem where the basilar artery sits laterally on the pons
What nerves are found in the pontomedullary angle?
*Abducens nerve VI
*Facial nerve VII
*Vestibulocochlear nerve VIII
In terms of part of the brainstem what pathway runs anteriorly?
The corticospinal tracts
What makes up the pyramids of the brainstem?
The corticospinal tracts
What makes up the pyramids of the brainstem?
The corticospinal tracts
What sits laterally to the pyramids on the brainstem?
The olive (the olivary nucleus or olivary complex)
What nerve exits between the olives and the pyramids?
The hypoglossal nerve CN XII
What nerves are lateral to the olives?
Glossopharyngeal CN IX
Vagus CN X
Spinal Accessory CN XI
What is the pyramidal decussation?
Where the corticospinal tracts crossover in the medulla
Where do the corticospinal tracts crossover?
At the pyramidal decussation in the medulla
Where does the pineal gland sit?
Between the posterior nuclei of the thalamus
What sits between the posterior nuclei of the thalamus?
The pineal gland
What sits posterior on the midbrain?
The inferior and superior colliculi
Where do the inferior and superior colliculi sit?
Posteriorly on the midbrain
What is tectum?
The four superior and inferior colliculi
What is the middle cerebellar peduncle?
The large axon tract that goes from the pons to the cerebellum and vice versa
What are the cerebellar peduncles?
Axon tracts coming and going from the cerebellum