Location and Functions of CN Nuclei in Brainstem

Question 1

General somatic efferent nuclei (4)

Answer 1

Hypoglossal nucleus
Abducens nucleus
Trochlear nucleus
Oculomotor nucleus

Question 2

Hypoglossal nucleus located in:

Carries axons of:

Answer 2

Medulla

CN 12: intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of tongue

Question 3

Abducens nucleus located in:

Carries axons of:

Answer 3

Pons

CN 6: lateral rectus muscle of eye

Question 4

Trochlear nucleus located in:

Carries axons of:

Answer 4

Midbrain

CN 4: superior oblique m.

Question 5

Oculomotor nucleus located in:

Carries axons of:

Answer 5

Midbrain

CN 3: extraocular mm.

Question 6

Special visceral efferent (SVE) nuclei (4)

Answer 6

Accessory nucleus
Nucleus ambiguus
Facial nucleus
Motor nucleus of CN V

Question 7

Spinall accessory nucleus located in:

Carries axons of:

Answer 7

Medulla, mainly ventral gray horn of upper cervical spinal segments
CN11: trapezius and sternocleidomastoid

Question 8

Nucleus ambiguus located in:

Carries axons of: (2)

Answer 8

Medulla
CN 9, 10: mm. of larynx, pharynx and soft palate (levator veli palatini, palatoglossus)
CN 10: preganglionic parasymp. to cardiac ganglia in the heart

Question 9

Facial nucleus located in:

Carries axons of:

Answer 9

Pons

CN 7: mm. of facial expression, stylohyoid, posterior digastric, stapedius in middle ear

Question 10

Motor nucleus of CN V located in:

Carries axons of:

Answer 10

Pons

Mandibular division of CN V3: mm. of mastication, mylohyoid, anterior digastric, tensors tympani, veli palatini

Question 11

General visceral efferent (GVE) nuclei (4)

Answer 11

Dorsal motor nucleus of vagus
Inferior salivary nucleus
Superior salivary nucleus
Edinger-Westphal nucleus

Question 12

Dorsal motor nucleus of vagus located in:

Carries axons of:

Answer 12

Medulla
CN 10: preganglionic parasympathetic to autonomic ganglia, that send postganglionic fibers to thoracic and abdominal viscera

Question 13

Nucleus ambiguus has fibers from (2):

Answer 13

Sensory visceral efferent

General visceral efferent

Question 14

Nucleus ambiguus’s internal formation has:

Answer 14

SVE lower motor neurons destined to control mm. of palate larynx and pharynx

Question 15

Nucleus ambiguus’s external formation has:

Answer 15

Preganglionic parasympathetic (GVE) neurons destined to supply cardiac ganglia in the heart

Question 16

Inferior salivatory nucleus located in:

Carries axons of:

Answer 16

Medulla

CN 9: preganglionic parasympathetic to otic ganglion, where postgang. fibers innervate parotid salivary gland.

Question 17

Superior salivatory nucleus located in:

Carries axons of: (2)

Answer 17

Pons
1. CN 7 via chorda tympani to lingual branch of CN V3
Preganglionic parasympathetic to submandibular ganglion –> postganglionic to submandibular and sublingual salivary glands
2. Preganglionic input to postganglionic neurons in pterygopalatine ganglion –> cerebral blood vessels –> induces cerebral vasodilation

Question 18

Edinger-Westphal nucleus located in:

Carries axons of:

Answer 18

Midbrain
CN 3: preganglionic parasympathetic to ciliary ganglion
Post-ganglionics to pupillary sphincter and ciliary muscles

Question 19

General visceral afferent (GVA) and special visceral afferent (SVA) nuclei

Answer 19

Nucleus tractus solitarii (nucleus of solitary tract)

Question 20

Nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) located in:

Carries axons of:

Answer 20

from medulla to midpons

Receives all GVA and SVA axons from CNs 7, 9, 10

Question 21

Caudal part of NTS

Receives:

Answer 21

General visceral afferent

Receives sensory information from thoracic and abdominal viscera is CN 10: carotid sinus, carotid body via CN 9

Question 22

Rostral part of NTS

Receives:

Answer 22

Special visceral afferent

Receives special sensory information from taste buds via CN 7 and 9.

Question 23

SVA and GVA neurons send branches to ____ and ____ (nuclei) for participation in _____

Answer 23

Nucleus ambiguus, dorsal motor nucleus of vagus

Autonomic reflexes

Question 24

Trigeminal sensory complex is the termination site of ____

Answer 24

All GSA afferents in CNs 5 (face, tongue, nasal, oral cavities), 7 (ear), 9 (ear, tongue), 10 (ear)

Question 25

Spinal nucleus of trigeminal located in:

Receives:

Answer 25

Medulla
Pain, temperature, crude touch information from head, face, nasal and oral cavities, and ear (5, 7, 9, 10)
2nd order pain and temperature neurons

Question 26

Main (principal) sensory nucleus of trigeminal located in:

Receives:

Answer 26

Pons
CN 5: touch and pressure information from head, face, oral cavity
2nd order discriminative touch neurons

Question 27

Mesencephalic nucleus of the trigeminal located in:

Contains:

Answer 27

Midbrain
Only primary afferent neuron that contains 1st order neurons
Conscious and unconscious proprioceptive information from muscles of mastication and periodontal ligaments

Question 28

Special somatic afferent (SSA) nuclei

Answer 28

Vestibulocochlear nuclei

Question 29

Receives auditory information conveyed by CN 8

Answer 29

Dorsal and ventral cochlear nuclei

Question 30

Receives information conveyed via CN 8 regarding equilibrium and displacement of body

Answer 30

Medial and inferior vestibular nuclei (medulla)

Lateral and superior vestibular nuclei (pons)