Medulla Flashcards
Medullary Pyramids
location
Rostral/Caudal Medulla
Medullary Pyramids
function
- Paired white matter structures in ventral medulla that contain descending motor fibers of corticospinal and corticobulbar tracts – known together as the pyramidal tracts
Inferior Cerebellar Peduncle
location
Rostral Medulla
Inferior Cerebellar Peduncle
function
Afferent and efferent fibers between cerebellum and medulla
Open Medulla
location
Rostral Medulla
Open Medulla
function
Ventral wall of 4th ventricle
Inferior Olivary Nuclei
location
Rostral/Caudal Medulla
Inferior Olivary Nuclei
function
Accepts motor and sensory input from a multitude of sources and projects information about muscle and limb movement mainly through inferior cerebellar peduncle to contralateral cerebellar cortex
Solitary Nuclei
location
Rostral/Caudal Medulla
Solitary Nuclei
function
- Relay station for general visceral and taste afferents carried by cranial nerves 7, 9, and 10
- Has a critical role in initiation and integration of a wide variety of reflexes controlling cardiovascular function, respiration, and GI motility
Nuclei Ambiguous
location
Rostral/Caudal Medulla
Nuclei Ambiguous
function
Group of cell bodies of motor divisions of cranial nerve 9, 10, and 11 that go on to innervate ipsilateral muscles of the jaw and mouth and throat that are ultimately responsible for swallowing and speaking
Area Postrema
location
Rostral Medulla
Area Postrema
function
Brainstem circumventricular organ - Vomiting center
Nuclei Gracilis
location
Rostral Medulla
Nuclei Gracilis
function
- Gives rise to dorsal column medial lemniscus pathway
– major ascending somatosensory pathway carrying discriminative touch, light touch, vibration, proprioception of muscles innervated by T6 spinal nerve roots and below (lower body)
Nuclei Cuneatus
location
Rostral Medulla
Nuclei Cuneatus
function
- Gives rise to dorsal column medial lemniscus pathway
– major ascending somatosensory pathway carrying discriminative touch, light touch, vibration, proprioception of muscles innervated by T6 spinal nerve roots and above (upper body)
Medial Lemniscus Decussation
location
Caudal Medulla
Medial Lemniscus Decussation
function
Crossing of the medial lemniscal dorsal pathway, caring afferent somatosensory information from the body
Pyramidal Decussation
location
Cervicomedullary Junction
Pyramidal Decussation
function
Crossing of the pyramidal tracts, descending to provide motor drive to the body
Vestibular Nuceli
location
Rostral Medulla
Spinal Trigeminal
location
Rostral Medulla
Vagus Motor Nuceli
location
Caudal Medulla
Hypoglossal Nuceli
location
Caudal Medulla
Spinal Accessory Nuceli
location
Cervicomedullary Junction
