Neuro L.7 Main Concepts

Question 1

What are the divisions of the brainstem?

Answer 1

Basilar: anterior - motor
Tegmentum: middle - sensory
Tectum: posterior - reflexes (ONLY MIDBRAIN)

Question 2

Where are the cranial nerve nuclei located in the brainstem?

Answer 2

Midbrain: III, IV
Pons: V, VI, VII, VIII
Medulla: IX, X, XI, XII

Question 3

What is the function of the nucleus ambiguous?

Answer 3

Swallowing/speaking

Located at the medullo-pontine junction (IX, X)

Question 4

What is the function of the solitary nucleus?

Answer 4

Visceral and mouth afferents

Located at the medullo-pontine junction (VII, IX, X)

Question 5

What is anteromedial midbrain syndrome associated with?

Answer 5

PCA/basilar

Features include corticospinal tract involvement and CN III palsy (ptosis, mydriasis, eye down/out)

Question 6

What is locked-in syndrome associated with?

Answer 6

Basilar

Involves B CST, B corticobulbar, and B abducens

Question 7

What are the features of lateral inferior pontine syndrome?

Answer 7

Involves CN V, CN VII, CN VIII, sympathics, salivatory nucleus (VII, XI), and spinothalamic tract

Question 8

What is lateral medullary syndrome associated with?

Answer 8

PICA

Involves CN V, CN VIII, CN X, sympathics, salivatory nucleus (VII, IX), solitary nucleus (VII, IX, X), and nucleus ambiguous (IX, X)

Question 9

What is medial medullary syndrome associated with?

Answer 9

ASA

Involves CST, DCML, and CN XII