Mod 9 Brainstem Flashcards
What are the functions of the brainstem?
- conduit
- origin of cranial nerves
- integration of CN reflexes, respiratory and CV function, and consciousness
What is the somatosensory system of the head and neck?
trigeminal system
What does the trigeminal system do?
mediates somatosensory info from CN V, VII, IX, and X
What are the three divisions of the trigeminal nerve?
- ophthalmic (V1)
- maxillary (V2)
- mandibular (V3)
What region of he face gets somatosensory innervation from each division of CN V?
V1 - forehead
V2- cheeks
V3 - jaw
What is the direction of the trigeminal system?
sensory info comes into trigeminal ganglion, then synapses on the nuclei in the brainstem, then synapse in the thalamus at the ventral posteriomedial nucleus (2nd order neurons), then 3rd order neurons head to the somatosensory cortex
What is trigeminal neuralgia?
disease of PNS affecting the trigeminal ganglion or nerve (before synapse on the brainstem)
What is another name for trigeminal neuralgia?
tic douloureux
What are the symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia?
brief attacks of excruciating pain in one or more divisions of CN V
What is one surgical intervention that can be used to treat trigeminal neuralgia?
seondary neurons of the trigeminal system sectioned off (Spinal trigeminal tract) that relieves pain attacks but produces the loss of temp and pain on the ispilateral face
How are brainstem reflexes similar to spinal cord reflexes?
have receptors, afferent/efferent fibers, a reflex center, and effector
What are the four brainstem reflexes?
- jaw jerk
- corneal blink
- stapedius
- swallowing
What CN control the jaw jerk reflex?
CN V for both sensory and motor
What CNs control the corneal blink reflex?
CN V: sensory
CN VII: motor
What CNs control the stapedius reflex?
CN VIII: sensory
CN VII: motor
What CNs control the swallowing reflex?
CN IX and X: sensory and motor
What type of reflex is the jaw jerk reflex?
monosynaptic
What happens in the jaw jerk reflex?
muscle spindles respond to quick stretch of masseter muscles, creating a bilateral response of contracting masseter muscles
What happens in the corneal reflex?
unilateral stimulus of stroke to cornea producing a bilateral response (blinking of both eyes)
What happens during the stapedius reflex?
load sound enters one ear causing the stapedius muscle to contract bilaterally
How does the stapedius reflex work?
stapedius stiffens the ossicular chain, dampening the sound transmission making the sound quieter, protecting our ears
What are the afferent and efferent limbs of the stapedius reflex?
afferent: cochlear div fibers of CN VIII
efferent: LMN of CN VII
What is the path of the stapedius reflex?
CN VIII prim aff -> ventral cochlear nucleus -> bilateral projection to superior olivary nucleus -> interneurons to CN VII -> stapedius muscle
What is the swallowing reflex?
when a bolus of food stimulates the walls of the oropharynx, the reflex is triggered
What are the stages of the swallowing reflex?
- voluntary
- reflexive
- reflexive
What are the afferent and efferent limbs of the swallowing reflex?
afferent: sensory CN IX, X
efferent: motor CN IX, X
What is the corticotubular tract?
descending tracts from the cerebral Cortez to the brainstem, controlling innervation of CN motor nuclei
What is another name for UMN fibers in the corticotubular tract?
supranucleur because its above the nuclei in the brainstem