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Year 2: NeuroBiology > Lecture 4: Brainstem and midbrain > Flashcards

Lecture 4: Brainstem and midbrain Flashcards

1
Q

components of the brainstem

A

midbrain
pons
medulla oblongata

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2
Q

general functions of the brain stem

A

9 of the 12 cranial nerve nuclei - head and body functions

conduit for ascending and descending paths

integrative functions for consciousness, vital centers, etc

functions not exclusive

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3
Q

general location of brainstem

A

around cerebral aqueduct

anterior to 4th ventricle

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4
Q

function of the basilar component of the brainstem

A

contains descending tracts and pontine nuclei

mainly related to motor functions

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5
Q

function of the tegmentum component of the brainstem

A

mainly contains ascending tracts and most nuclei (including cranial nerves)

mainly involved in sensory relay and head functions/special sensation

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6
Q

function of the tectum portion of the brainstem

A

only located in midbrain - houses deep nuclei

relay path for vision and audition

reflexive pathways

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7
Q

what cranial nerves connect to the midbrain

A

CN III oculomotor

CN IV trochlear (only one; exits posteriorly and runs anteriorly)

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8
Q

what cranial nerves connect to the pons

A

CN V trigeminal
CN VI abducens
CN VII facial
CN VIII vestibulocochlear

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9
Q

what cranial nerves connect to the medulla oblongata

A

CN XII hypoglossal
CN IX glossopharyngeal
CN X vagus

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10
Q

where does CN XI attach

A

spinal accessory n attaches to spinal cord

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11
Q

the sulcus limitans in the central canal of the spinal cord divides what

A

dorsal and ventral components (sensory vs motor respectively)

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12
Q

name the order of the cranial nerve nuclei in the tegmentum of the brainstem from medial to lateral (motor to sensory)

A

Somatic motor
branchial motor
visceral motor
visceral sensory
somatic sensory
special sensation

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13
Q

where does the cranial n V nuclei reside in the brain stem and what are it’s somatic sensory functions

A

from midbrain to spinal cord (C2 level)

controls all face and anterior 1/2 of scalp somatic sensory

mesencephalic nucleus = A ganglion

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14
Q

how many functional components of CN VII, IX, and X

A

4 functional components

share the solitary nucleus

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15
Q

what cranial nerves hike onto the CN V nuclei

A

CN VII, IX, and X (special sensory) hike onto the CN V nuclei

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16
Q

what CNs share the solitary tract

A

CN VII, IX, and X for visceral sensory

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17
Q

what CNs share the ambiguous nucleus

A

CN IX, X (somatic motor)

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18
Q

superior colliculus contains what pathways

A

visual pathways

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19
Q

the periaqueductal (or central) gray contains what

A

multiple nuclei with modulating functions

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20
Q

what true ganglion does CN V attach to

A

mesencephalic nucleus

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21
Q

what nuclei does CN III connect to

A

Edinger-westphal nucleus (parasympathetic)

somatic motor nucleus (voluntary)

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22
Q

what is contained in the rostral midbrain

A

superior colliculus
periaqueductal gray
cerebral aqueduct
CN V - mesencephalic nucleus
CN III - oculomotor n
red nucleus
substantia nigra
cerebral peduncle

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23
Q

what is contained in the caudal midbrain

A

inferior colliculus
periaqueductal gray
cerebral aqueduct
CN IV trochlear n nucleus
CN V, mesencephalic nucleus
superior cerebral peduncle decussation

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24
Q

what is the only CN that crosses and exits the posterior brain stem

A

trochlear n CN IV

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25
components of the the rostral pons
4th ventricle CN V's motor and principle sensory nuclei pontine nuclei middle cerebral peduncle
26
describe the pontine nuclei
prominent basilar location of corticppontine fiber synapse
27
describe the function of the middle cerebellar peduncle in the rostral pons
decussation relay corticopontine signals to the cerebellum
28
what important structures surround/connect to the caudal pons
4th ventricle borders (contains choroid plexus) CN V spinal trigeminal nucleus CN VI abducens nucleus CN VII facial nucleus CN VIII vestibular and cochlear nuclei CN VII/IX superior/inferior salivatory nuclei superior olivary nucleus
29
nucleus for CN V at caudal pons
spinal trigeminal nucleus
30
nucleus for CN VI at caudal pons
abducens nucleus
31
nucleus for CN VII at caudal pons
facial nucleus
32
nucleus for CN VIII at caudal pons
vestibular and cochlear nuclei
33
CN VII and IX also connect to what nuclei
superior and inferior salivatory nuclei
34
CN V connects to what nucleus at the middle pons
motor and principle sensory nucleus
35
CN VIII connects to what nucleus at the middle pons
vestibular nuclei
36
CN V connects to what nucleus at the medulla
spinal trigeminal nucleus
37
CN VIII connects to what nucleus at the medulla
vestibulocochlear nuclei
38
CN IX/X connects to what nucleus at the medulla
ambiguous nucleus somatic motor
39
CN X (alone) connects to what nucleus at the medulla
dorsal motor nucleus visceral motor
40
what CNs connect to the solitary nucleus
VII, IX, and X (7, 9, and 10)
41
which portion of the inferior cerebral peduncle can you see at the rostral medulla
restiform body
42
what can you see at the caudal medulla
central canal spinal trigeminal nucleus (CN V) CN XII nucleus inferior olivary nucleus pyramid (main decussation of corticospinal tract)
43
dorsal vs ventral horn
dorsal = cluster of nuclei/laminae for sensory ventral = cluster for motor
44
where does the CN V nucleus, spinal trigeminal nucleus run
continuous to dorsal horn laminae II/III/IV to C2 level
45
where does the CN XI nucleus run
spinal accessory nerve C1-C5
46
where are the ascending tracts from the spinal cord (somatic sensory) located
in tegmentum of brainstem
47
function of the dorsal column medial lemniscus tract
proprioception/vibration/fine touch
48
describe the 3 neuron system of the ascending tracts of the spinal cord
1st order = dorsal root ganglion 2nd order = central process axons synapse with 2nd order in tegmentum of medulla (middle medulla/site of axon decussation) after decussation... 3rd order = 2nd and 3rd synapse in VPL
49
anterolateral spinothalamic tract is responsible for
pain/crude touch/temp decussates in spinal cord
50
the fasciculus gracilis (axonal bundle) carries what information from where and to where?
sends info from dorsal root ganglion to nucleus gracilis in the caudal medulla carries sensory info from T6 level and below
51
the fasciculus cuneatus (axonal bundle) carries what information from where and to where?
sends info from dorsal root ganglion to nucleus cuneatus in the caudal medulla carries sensory info from above level of T6
52
what forms the medial lemniscus
decussation of the axons of the 2nd order neurons in the DCML pathw
53
where does the ML project to
VPL of thalamus location of 3rd order neurons for synapse
54
describe the rotation of the somatotopy along the DCML using the following landmarks: FG/FC in spinal cord and caudal medulla, ML in caudal medulla, ML in caudal pons, and ML in caudal midbrain
SC and caudal medulla: neck to foot as lateral to medial caudal medulla: neck to foot as posterior to anterior caudal pons: neck to foot as medial to lateral caudal midbrain: neck to foot as anterior to posterior
55
function/purpose of the corticobulbar/corticonuclear tracts in the brainstem:
carry singals from CN somatic motor functions communicate with cerebellum end in the brainstem
56
describe the corticospinal tract; where do decussations occur
distal pyramid (junction between SC and medulla) 75-90% decussate at the distal pyramid (between SC and medulla) = lateral corticospinal tract others decussate in the anterior spinal cord = anterior corticospinal tract some do not decussate = ipsilateral function all fibers end in the spinal cord and contribute to motor function
57
what somatic motor pathways stem from the midbrain and are modulated by the descending corticonuclear tracts
rubrospinal tract and tectospinal tract\ both have decussations in the midbrain
58
compare/contrast the rubrospinal and tectospinal tracts
both are "alternate" routes for voluntary movement rubro spinal tract (along with corticospinal tract) terminates in the lateral anterior horn of the spinal cord and helps control distal muscles tectospinal tract terminates in the medial anterior horn of the spinal cord and helps control postural muscles
59
eye movement is especially important for what
coordinated stabilized vision
60
what role does the corticonuclear projections play in eye movement
descending controls voluntary eye movement by corticonuclear/corticospinal tract
61
describe the ascending pathways of the vestibular system and their function
controls VOR (modulated voluntary movement or reflex) axons form the ascending limb of the medial longitudinal fasciculus Steps: -vestibular nuclei (along pons and medulla) -projects to CN VI abducens nucleus in the pons, -then signals are sent to CN III oculomotor nerve nuclei in the midbrain
62
what role do the corticospinal projections play in proprioception and balance
descending control voluntary motion with corticonuclear/spinal tract
63
describe the descending limb of the vestinular system
reflex/modulated voluntary control: Vestibulocolic and vestibulospinal reflexes lateral vestibulospinal tract = VSR = ipsilateral proximal extremity muscle control medial vestibulospinal tract = VCR = bilateral trunk, mainly neck and UE muscles important tracts for balance and proprioception
64
what neural pathways play a part in sympathetic motor signals
medial forebrain bundle dorsal longitudinal fasciculus mammillotegmental tract
65
the medial forebrain bundle recieves info from where and ends where
recieves mainly from limbic system ends in spinal cord around T1-L2
66
where does the dorsal longitudinal fasciculus receive info from and end
mainly receives info from hypothalamus ends in spinal cord around T1-L2
67
where does the mammillotegmental tract receive info from and end
mainly receives info from hypothalamus ends in brainstem
68
visceral sensory follows the sympathetic motor path and mainly dectects what type of stimuli
nociceptive
69
what CNs are responisble for parasympathetic motor for the head and what are their corresponding nuclei
CN III = edinger westphal nucleus CN VII = superior salivatory nucleus CN IX = inferior salivatory nucleus
70
what CN is responsible for parasympathetic motor of the thorax/abdomen and what is the corresponding nucleus
vagus n (CN X) = dorsal nucleus visceral motor functions until the end of the midgut
71
what nerves are responsible for parasympathetic motor functions of the abdomen and pelvis
pelvic splanchnic nerve (S2-S4) responsible for hindgut and pelvis
72
visceral sensory mainly detects changes in
chemical and mechanical stimuli
73
sensory components of CN VII/IX/X pass signals through what nucleus
solitary nuclei
74
describe the signals that go into the cerebellum
cortincopontine tracts descend from the cerebral cortex and synapse with pontine nuclei these post synaptic fibers decussate in the pons at the middle cerebellar peduncle signals end in the cerebellum on the contralateral side from the original corticopontine tract
75
describe the signals leaving the cerebellum
signals go to the superior cerebellar peduncle and decussate in the caudal midbrain then signals project to the thalamus then to the motor cortex
76
decsribe how the cerebellum modulates ipsilateral motor functions
the cerebellum crosses to the contralateral cerebrum when sending a signal into the brain motor signals from the cerebrum then cross again to the contralateral side of the body cerebellum signals thus cross twice and end up influencing motor function on the ipsilateral side of the cerebellar hemisphere
77
what components of the deep nuclei are diffusely dispersed in the tegmentum
median medial/paramedian lateral
78
what are the most complicated neurons
reticular formation neurons synapses located in the whole CNS one neuron can integrate different inputs
79
what are the 2 components of the reticulospinal tract (part of descending reticular system) and their function
pontine reticulospinal tract = medial ventral horn; postural control medullary reticulospinal tract = anterolateral ventral horn; fine motor control
80
describe the peri aqueductal gray-raphe nuclei path of the descending reticular system
signals are sent from the gray to the raphe magnus nucleus to inhibit pain signals from the dorsal horn
81
function of the ascending reticular activating system
arousal and consciousness normal forebrain cannot function w/o input from the ARAS (how coma's happen) helps maintain normal sleep/wake cycle
82
describe the interactions between the reticular formation nuclei and other structures in the forebrain
communicate via different neurotransmitters slow and nonspecific interactions still mainly just project to thalamus and then prefrontal cortex
83
what major vitals are in the brainstem? and what ONE is controlled via the intra-hypothalamic nucleus
body temp = intra hypothalamic nucleus respiratory rate, heart rate, and blood pressure all in brain stem

Year 2: NeuroBiology (10 decks)

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