Module 7

Question 0

What does the brainstem connect?

Answer 0

Hemispheres
Diencephalon
Cerebellum
WITH THE spinal cord

Question 1

What is considered the CORE of the brain?

Answer 1

Brainstem

Question 2

What are the three divisions of the brainstem?

Answer 2

Midbrain (mesencephalon)
Pons (metencephalon)
Medulla (myelencephalon)

Question 3

What are the roles of the brainstem?

Answer 3

Provides transit for ascending and descending pathways

Regulates vital functions of the body

Subserves cranial nerves functions; house CN nuclei

Question 4

Describe the transit role of the brainstem

Answer 4

Sensory signals from SC to thalamus
Motor signal from cortex to SC
Connects:
Cerebellum and cerebrum (superiorly) 
Cerebellum and SC (posteriorly)

Question 5

Describe the vital functions of the brainstem

Answer 5

Respiration/Arterial pressure/Heart beat/Equilibrium

Determines level of activity of cerebrum

Determined arousal levels

Controls sleep/wake cycles

Question 6

What type of CN does the BS house and what are their CN Functions?

Answer 6

Sensory nuclei of termination

Motor nuclei of origin

Question 7

What are the four regions of the brainstem?

Answer 7

Roof (dorsal/post.)
Basilar portion (ventral/ant.) 
Tegmentum (core/central)
Ventricular cavities (midline/post.)

Question 8

What are the two ways you can view the brainstem?

Answer 8

Ventral

Lateral

Question 9

Where is the roof and what is it comprised of?

In the midbrain…

Answer 9

The tectum in the midbrain

Comprised of:
Superior colliculi (vision)
Inferior colliculi (audition)

Question 10

Where is the roof at the pons level?

Answer 10

Cerebellum

Question 11

Where is the roof in the lower pons, medulla?

Answer 11

Floor of the 4th ventricle

Question 12

What is the basilar portion (ventral view) comprised of?

Answer 12

Cerebral peduncles (midbrain)
Pons (ventral)
Pyramids (medulla)

Question 13

Which region is considered the core of the brainstem?

Answer 13

Tegmentum

Extends through the entire dorsal of the brainstem (midbrain/pons/medulla)

Question 14

What does the central tegmental tract carry?

Answer 14

Sensory and motor pathways

Question 15

Which two structures in the tegmentum are related on the BG?

Answer 15

Red nucleus and substantia nigra

Question 16

What comprises the ventricular cavity?

Answer 16

Cerebral aqueduct (connect 3rd/4th ventricle)

Question 17

What are the divisions of the brainstem?

Answer 17

External landmarks

Internal structures

Question 18

What external landmarks are on the (ventral) side of the midbrain?

Answer 18

Cerebral peduncles

Optic tract/chiasm

Question 19

What landmarks are on the (dorsal) side of the midbrain?

Answer 19

Corpora quadrigemina
(Superior colliculi/ inferior colliculi)

Superior/inferior brachia
(Connects colliculi with thalamus)

Superior cerebellar peduncles

Question 20

What does the pons form?

Answer 20

Basilar part of metencephalon

Question 21

What is the function of the pons?

Answer 21

Provides transit for ascending and descending sensory/motor pathways

Contains corticopontine fibers

Question 22

Which CN nuclei are located on the pons?

Answer 22

V- touch and proprioception from face/head

VI- abducens (motor for eye movement

VII- facial / taste (back of tongue)

VIII- vestibulocochlear (hearing/balance

Question 23

Where do the CN exit from the pons?

Answer 23

V- mid-pons (lateral)

VI- pons-medulla (ventral)

VII- pons-medulla (ventrolateral)

VIII- pons-medulla (ventrolateral)

Question 24

What is at the lowest brainstem level/division?

Answer 24

Medulla

Question 25

Describe the medulla

Answer 25

Forms the myelencephalon Choroid plexus in floor of 4th ventricle forms the roof of the medulla

Question 26

What are some external landmarks in the medulla?

Answer 26

Pyramids (basilar portion) Olives (anterolateral portion) 4 CN exit from medulla

Question 27

Which CN exit from the medulla?

Answer 27

IX X XI XII

Question 28

What is the function of the olives on the medulla?

Answer 28

Serves motor function Input from BG/SC Output to cerebellum

Question 29

What are some internal structures within the medulla?

Answer 29

Ascending sensory and descending motor pathways 4th ventricle (roof) Reticular formation CN nuclei Spinal sensory nuclei associated with medial lemniscus pathway

Question 30

Name the nuclei of the medulla

Answer 30

``` XI X XI XII spinal nucleus of CN V (pain/temp. H/f) Solitary nucleus (taste from VII/ cough reflex from X/ gag response from IX, X) ```

Question 31

What is unique about the reticular formation?

Answer 31

Phylogenetically old Comprised of core nuclei (dispersed through tegmentum) Divided into 3 zones

Question 32

What is the purpose of the central tegmental tract and RF?

Answer 32

RF integrates sensory/motor inputs from spinal/cranial nerves/cerebrum/cerebellum Organization of RF Nuclei/pathways allows it to project to ALL levels of SC/brains Contains pain pathway/ motor pathways and ascending reticular activating system

Question 33

What are the functions of the reticular formation?

Answer 33

Modulates awareness and controls level of alertness Maintains brains homeostasis Helps in regulations of body functions and behaviors

Question 34

Lesions to the midbrain and diencephalon result in what?

Answer 34

Coma

Question 35

Lesions to pontine RF result in what?

Answer 35

Constant wakefulness (very rare)