Midbrain

Question 1

Superior Colliculi

location

Answer 1

Rostral Tectum

Question 2

Superior Colliculi

function

Answer 2

• Visual relay station (visual tracking and head turning as a behavioral response to environmental stimuli)
• Contains afferent fibers from retina, efferent fibers to cervical spine

Question 3

Inferior Colliculi

location

Answer 3

Caudal Tectum

Question 4

Inferior Colliculi

function

Answer 4

• Auditory relay station
• Primary roles: signal integration, frequency recognition, and pitch discrimination.
• Contains afferent fibers from cochlea, superior olivary, trapezoid nuclei via lateral lemniscus and efferent fibers to thalamus

Question 5

Substantia Nigra

location

Answer 5

Tegmentum

Question 6

Substantia Nigra

function

Answer 6

• Part of the basal ganglia, involved in movement

- Major dopamine-producing and storage areas

Question 7

Ventral Tegmental Area

location

Answer 7

Rostral Tegmentum

Question 8

Ventral Tegmental Area

function

Answer 8

• One of the largest collections of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain
• Plays role in reward system (reinforcing behavior), with projections to limbic system

Question 9

Red Nuclei

location

Answer 9

Rostral Tegmentum

Question 10

Red Nuclei

function

Answer 10

• Motor coordination, motor control for flexor muscle groups

Question 11

Superior Cerebellar Peduncle

location

Answer 11

Caudal Tegmentum

also: Rostral Pons

Question 12

Superior Cerebellar Peduncle

function

Answer 12

• Relay station to cerebellum containing afferent and efferent fibers

Question 13

Raphe Nuclei

location

Answer 13

Caudal Tegmentum

also: Rostral Pons

Question 14

Raphe Nuclei

function

Answer 14

• Major serotonin-producing neurons in the brain

Question 15

Crus Cerebri

location

Answer 15

Basis Pedunculi

Question 16

Crus Cerebri

function

Answer 16

• Large bundles of somatotopically-organized axons containing fibers from motor pathways

Question 17

Cerebral Peduncle

location

Answer 17

Basis Pedunculi + ventral tegmentum

Question 18

Cerebral Peduncle

function

Answer 18

• Basis Pedunculi + Substantia Nigra
• Two stalks that attach the cerebrum to the brainstem at ventral surface of midbrain, arise from ventral pons.
• Contain the large descending (motor) nerve tracts

Question 19

Periaqueductal Gray

location

Answer 19

Tectum/Tegmentum

Question 20

Periaqueductal Gray

function

Answer 20

• Gray matter surrounding cerebral aqueduct

- Pain modulation (primarily: inhibition), autonomic regulation, emotion

Question 21

Oculomotor Nuclei

location

Answer 21

Rostral Tegmentum

Question 22

Trochlear Nuclei

location

Answer 22

Caudal Tegmentum