Neuroanatomy Flashcards
What are the 4 parts of the brain?
1) Cerebrum
2) Diencephalon
3) Cerebellum
4) Brain stem
How many pairs of spinal nerves are there?
31
- 8 cervical
- 12 thoracic
- 5 lumbar
- 5 sacral
- 1 coccygeal
What are the 3 components of the brainstem?
Superior to inferior:
1) Midbrain
2) Pons
3) Medulla
In the spinal cord, (grey/white) matter is central, while (grey/white) matter is peripheral.
Central: grey
Peripheral : white
What are CNS nuclei?
Aggregations of neuronal cell bodies
In the brain, (grey/white) matter is central, while (grey/white) matter is peripheral.
Central: white
Peripheral: grey (cerebral cortex)
What are the components of central grey matter in the brain?
Deep cortical grey matter:
eg. thalamus, hypothalamus
What are nodes of ranvier?
Gaps in myelin sheath in myelinated neurons
What are 5 neuroglial cells?
CNS:
1) Oligodendrocytes
- myelination
2) Astrocytes
- form BBB
3) Microglia
- immune cells
PNS:
4) Schwann cells
- myelination
5) Satellite cells
- structural and nutritional support
How does the mode of conduction differ between myelinated and non-myelinated neurons?
Myelinated: Saltatory conduction (activation in nodes of ranvier)
Non-myelinated: continuous conduction (activation across entire length of axon)
At which spinal level does the spinal cord end?
L1/2
What are the components of a spinal reflex arc?
1) Receptor
2) Afferent sensory neuron
3) CNS integration of information (mono/polysynaptic)
4) Efferent motor neuron carries impulse
5) Effector
Which spinal segments correspond to T10/11 vertebra?
Lumbar nerves
Which spinal segments correspond to T12-L1 vertebra
Sacral nerves
What are the 2 enlargements of the spinal cord?
1) Cervical → Brachial plexus
2) Lower enlargement → Lumbosacral plexus
What are the components of a spinal nerve?
1) Dorsal rootlets/root
2) Ventral rootlets/root
How many cranial nerves at the level of the brainstem?
10
What is the anatomical space between the pons and medulla?
Pontomedullary junction
What is located in the diamond-shaped space between the brainstem and cerebellum?
4th ventricle
What are 2 descending (motor) pathways?
1) Corticospinal (Pyramidal) tract
2) Extrapyramidal (postural) pathways
Which part of the brain integrates sensory information?
Post-central gyrus (in parietal lobe)
How is an upper motor neuron lesion differentiated from a lower motor neuron lesion?
Lower:
- hypotonia → flaccid paralysis
- muscular atrophy
- areflexia
- muscular fasciculations
Upper:
- hypertonia → spasticity, rigid paralysis
- hyperreflexia
- Pathologic reflexes (eg. clasp-knife, Babinski’s sign)
What are the similarities and differences between the neurotransmitters in the sympathetic and parasympathetic system?
Similarity:
- both use ACh @ pre-ganglionic synpase
Difference:
- Postganglionic
S: Noradrenaline (except eccrine sweat glands) - adrenergic nerves
PS: ACh - cholinergic nerves
Which structure separates the frontal and parietal lobe?
Central sulcus
Which structure separates the parietal and temporal lobe?
Lateral sulcus
What structure is located just anterior to the central sulcus?
Pre-central gyrus: motor function
What structure is located just posterior to the central sulcus?
Post-central gyrus: sensory function
What structure is located just inferior to the lateral fissure?
Primary auditory cortex
What are commissural fibers?
Commissural fibers connect an area in one hemisphere with an area in the opposite hemisphere
What is the corpus callosum?
Largest set of commissural fibers in the brain and is a pathway of crucial importance to speech-language functions
Which lobe is the calcarine sulcus located?
Occipital
- primary visual cortex
What 2 cortices are located anterior to the central gyrus?
primary and secondary motor cortex
Which cortex is located anterior to the motor cortices??
Prefrontal cortex
Which cortex is located posteroinferior to the prefrontal cortex and superior to the lateral fissure?
Motor speech cortex
Which 2 cortices are located posterior to the central sulcus?
Primary and secondary sensory cortices
Where is the auditory cortex?
Temporal lobe
Where is the sensory speech cortex?
Mainly temporal lobe but overlaps into parietal
What is the receptor for deep pressure and fast vibrations and where is it found?
Pacinian corpuscle in subcutaneous fat
What is the receptor for sustained pressure and where is it found?
Ruffini nerve endings in dermis layer
What is the receptor for changes in texture and slow vibrations?
Meissner’s corpuscle in upper dermis layer
What is the receptor for sustained touch and pressure and where is it found?
Merkel’s disc in upper dermis
What are 4 somatosensory systems?
1) Spinothalamic
- pain, temp, crude touch, pressure
2) Dorsal column medial lemniscus
- vibration, discriminative touch, conscious proprioception
3) Spinocerebellar
4) Trigeminothalamic
Minor:
5) Spino-reticular
6) Spino-olivary
7) Spino-tectal
What are the sensory modalities that are transmitted via the spinothalamic pathway?
1) Pain
2) Temperature
3) Crude touch
4) Pressure
What are the sensory modalities that are transmitted via the dorsal-column medial lemniscus pathway?
1) Discriminative touch
2) Vibration
3) Concious proprioception
Does sensory information transmitted in the Spinocerebellar tract reach consciousness?
No.
What type of neuron is associated with motor function?
Multipolar (M&M)
What type of neuron is associated with sensory function?
Pseudounipolar (pseudo sensory → SS)
What type of neuron is associated with specialised/special sensory function?
Bipolar (bipolar → special)
What cells are present in the central nervous system?
1) Ependymal cells → CSF
2) Oligodendrocytes → Myelin
3) Astrocytes → Structural support
4) Microglia → Macrophage
What cells are present in the peripheral nervous system?
1) Schwann cells → Myelin
2) Satellite cells → Structural support
How many pairs of cranial nerves are there?
12 pairs
How many pair of spinal nerves are there?
31 pairs
All cervical nerves exit the spinal column ___ each associated vertebral segment except _____ which goes ____.
above
C8
Under C7 vertebra
Each spinal nerve that arises from each associated ______ will exit via the _________ of its corresponding _____ and its adjacent
Spinal segment
Intervertebral foramen
Vertebral segment
At which depth would a lumbar puncture need to be?
@ L2-3
Subarachnoid space
What and where are the 2 spinal cord enlargements?
Brachial plexus (C5-T1)
Lumbosacral plexus (L2-S2)
Where does the spinal cord terminate?
L1/2
Where do all 1st order sensory neurons synapse?
Dorsal root ganglia
Describe the path an action potential takes in the Spinothalamic (Antero-lateral) system
1) Crude touch and pressure → Anterior
Pain and temp (both very pain → L) → Lateral
2) 1st order synapse @ DRG
3) Decussate and spinal segment and go up respective pathway/Spinal tract
4) 2nd order synapse @ Thalamus
5) 3rd order send signal to sensory cortex
Where do the neurons in the Spinothalamic/Antero-lateral tract decussate?
In the spinal cord
What are the sensory modalities transmitted in the Antero-lateral system?
1) Crude touch and pressure → AST
2) Pain and temperature → LST
Describe the path an action potential takes in the Dorsal-Column Medial Lemniscal (DCML) System.
1) Fine touch, vibration, conscious proprioception
2) 1st order synapse @ DRG
3) 2nd order goes up through the nucleus gracilis and cuneatus
4) 2nd order synapse @ Medulla oblongata of brainstem
5) 3rd order send signal to sensory cortex
Where do the neurons in the DCML tract decussate?
At the level of the Medulla Oblongata
What are the sensory modalities transmitted in the DCML system?
1) Fine touch and vibration
2) Conscious proprioception
Describe the path an action potential takes in Spinocerebellar system.
1) Subconscious proprioception
2) 1st order synapse @ DRG
3) 2nd order goes up dorsal or decussates to ventral ST
4) 2nd goes to cerebellum
(not cortex → unconscious)
Where do the neurons in the Spinocerebellar tract decussate?
If they do, it will be in the spinal cord
What are the sensory modalities transmitted in the Spinocerebellar system?
Unconscious proprioception
Where do descending neurons in the Pyramidal system decussate?
If they do (90%), it will be at the level of the medulla
Where do descending neurons in the Pyramidal system synapse?
Ventral horn
Sympathetic fibres have (short/long) preganglionic and (short/long) postganglionic neurons
Short pre, long post
(need immediate effect)
Parasympathetic fibres have (short/long) preganglionic and (short/long) postganglionic neurons
Long pre, short post
( need precise control)
Describe the path an action potential takes in the trigeminothalamic tract.
1) 1° in trigeminal ganglia
2) Synapse at sensory nucleus (brainstem)
3) Decussate @ brainstem
4) 2° transmit to thalamus
5) Synapse at thalamus
6) 3° transmit to sensory cortex
What sensory modalities are transmitted via the trigemino-thalamic system?
1) Crude touch
2) Fine touch
3) Pain
4) Temperature
5) Vibration
6) Pressure
7) Conscious proprioception
Which of the cranial nerves have sensory function?
Purely sensory:
CNI: Olfactory
CNII: Optic
CNVIII: Vestibulo-cochlear
Mixed:
CNV: Trigeminal
CNVII: Facial
CNIX: Glossopharyngeal
CNX: Vagus
Which of the cranial nerves have motor function?
Somatic:
CNIV: Trochlear
CNVI: Abducent
CNXII: Hypoglossal
Visceral:
CNVII: Facial
CNX: Vagus
Mixed:
CNIII: Ocular motor
CNV: Trigeminal
CNIX: Accessory
Where are the nuclei of the cranial nerves located?
Within brainstem
What is the dermatome of the trigeminal nerve?
Anything anterior to the line drawn from the (i) vertex, (ii) ear (iii) chin.
What are the 3 divisions of the trigeminal nerve?
1) Ophthalmic (V1)
2) Maxillary (V2)
3) Mandibular (V3)
Which level does the trigeminal nerve exits the brainstem?
Mid pons
What are the 3 components of the trigeminal sensory nuclei complex?
1) Principal (Chief) sensory nucleus
- fine touch and pressure
- pons
2) Spinal nucleus
- pain and temperature
- in medulla and upper cervical spinal cord
3) Mesencephalic nucleus
- conscious proprioception
- midbrain
What is the most unique property of the mesencephalic nucleus of the trigemino-thalamic tract?
1° sensory neurons are not in trigeminal sensory ganglion
(stays within CNS)
What are the relations of the thalamus?
Inferior: hypothalamus
Anterior: Interventricular septum
The thalamus is part of the ______________, between the ______________.
Thalamus
- part of diencephalon
- between midbrain and cerebral hemisphere
How are the left and right thalamus separated?
Interthalamic adhesion (mass intermedia)
The thalamus is divided into the _________________ by the ___________________.
Divided by internal medullary lamina into:
1) Anterior
2) Medial
3) Lateral (ventral & dorsal)
What are the sensory modalities of CNVII: Facial nerve and where are their 1° and 2° neurons?
1) Pain, temp, crude touch from ear
1°: geniculate ganglion
→ 2°: Spinal trigeminal nucleus
2) Taste from anterior 2/3 of tongue
1°: Geniculate ganglion → 2°: NTS
What are the sensory modalities of CNIX: Glossopharyngeal nerve and where are their 1° and 2° neurons?
1) Pain, temp crude touch from posterior 1/3 of tongue, ear, pharynx
1°: Glossopharyngeal ganglion (superior) → 2°: NTS
2) Taste from posterior 1/3 of tongue
1°: Glossopharyngeal ganglion (inferior) → 2°: NTS
3) Baroreception from carotid sinus
1°: Glossopharyngeal ganglion (inferior) → 2°: NTS
What are the sensory modalities of CNX: Vagus nerve and where are their 1° and 2° neurons?
1) Pain, temp, crude touch from external ear, larynx
1°: Vagal ganglion (Superior)→ 2°: Spinal trigeminal nucleus
2) Taste from pharynx
1°: Vagal ganglion (Inferior) → 2°: NTS
3) Baroreception from aortic body and sinus and other viscera (eg. lungs, GIT)
1°: Vagal ganglion (Inferior) → 2°:NTS
Where are the cell bodies of UMNs located?
Pyramidal: cerebral cortex
Extra-pyramidal: Brainstem
Where are the cell bodies of LMNs located?
Spinal nerves: Ventral horns
Cranial nerves: Brainstem
What are the descending motor pathways?
Pyramidal:
1) Corticospinal
2) Corticobulbar
Extrapyramidal:
3) Vestibulospinal
4) Reticulospinal
5) Rubrospinal
6) Tectospinal
The corticospinal tract transmits impulses for _______________.
Voluntary movement
Where do the pyramidal pathways arise from?
Cerebral cortex
What are the extra-pyramidal pathways and where do they arise from?
All from brainstem:
1) Rubrospinal ← red nucleus
2) Vestibulospinal ← vestibular nucleus
3) Tectospinal ← superior colliculus (tectum)
4) Reticulospinal ← reticular formation
What is the function of the rubrospinal tract and where does it arise from?
Rubrospinal tract:
- stimulate flexor, inhibit extensor + fine motor control
- red nucleus
What is the function of the reticulospinal tract and where does it arise from?
Reticulospinal tract:
- reflexes, muscle tone, voluntary movement
- reticular formation
What is the function of the tectospinal tract and where does it arise from?
Tectospinal tract:
- reflex head and neck movements to visual/auditory stimuli
- Superior colliculus (tectum)
What is the function of the vestibulospinal tract and where does it arise from?
Vestibulospinal tract:
- balance and postural stability by extensor muscles
- Vestibular nucleus
Describe the path of a upper motor neuron in the corticospinal tract.
Cerebral cortex
→ corona radiata
→ internal capsule
→ crus cerebri (midbrain)
→ pyramids (medulla)
→ ±decussate (most decussate)
- if decussate → lateral CST
- if no decussate → ventral CST
How do the lower motor neurons in the corticobulbar and corticospinal tract differ?
Corticospinal: contralaterally influenced
Corticobulbar: Bilaterally influences (except CNXII and part of CNVII that innervate lower facial muscles)
The trigeminal motor nucleus is located in the _________ and receives corticobulbar fibers (ipsi/contra/bi)laterally to innervate _________________.
Trigeminal motor nucleus (CNV):
- pons
- bilateral
- supplies:
i) Muscles of mastication (temporalis, medial and lateral pterygoid muscles, masseter)
ii) Mylohyoid and anterior belly of digastric
iii) Tensors (tympani and palatini)
The glossopharyngeal nerve’s nucleus is known as ___________ which is located in the _____________ and receives corticobulbar fibers (ipsi/contra/bi)laterally to innervate _________________.
CNIX: Glossopharyngeal
- Nucleus ambiguus in medulla oblongata
- bilateral
- supplies: stylopharyngeus
The Vagus nerve’s nucleus is known as ___________ which is located in the _____________ and receives corticobulbar fibers (ipsi/contra/bi)laterally to innervate _________________.
CNX: Vagus
- Nucleus ambiguus in medulla oblongata
- bilateral
- supplies:
i) All intrinsic muscles of soft palate (except Tensor Veli Palatini)
ii) Pharynx (except Stylopharyngeus)
iii) Larynx
The spinal accessory nucleus is located in the _________ and receives corticobulbar fibers (ipsi/contra/bi)laterally to innervate _________________.
Spinal accessory nucleus (CNXI):
- cervical spinal cord
- bilateral
- supplies:
i) SCM
ii) Trapezius
The Hypoglossal nucleus is located in the _________ and receives corticobulbar fibers (ipsi/contra/bi)laterally to innervate _________________.
Hypoglossal nucleus (CNXII):
- medulla oblongata
- bilateral
- supplies:
all muscles of tongue (except palatoglossal)
The Facial motor nucleus is located in the _________ and receives corticobulbar fibers (ipsi/contra/bi)laterally to innervate _________________.
Facial motor nucleus (CNVII):
- lower part of pons
- bilateral (except part that supplies lower part of face is contralateral)
- supplies:
i) Muscles of facial expression
ii) Stapedius
iii) Posterior belly of digastric
iv) Stylohyoid
Which of the cranial nerves have autonomic function?
CNIII: Oculomotor
CNVII: Facial
CNIX: Glossopharyngeal
CNX: Vagus
In a stroke, why would a px present with drooping on 1 side of the face?
Stroke → lesion in UMN of corticobulbar tract
→ all other facial muscles receive bilateral influence so can compensate
EXCEPT lower part of face only contralateral → flaccid paralysis
CNIII: Oculomotor
a) Supplies:
b) Pre-ganglionic nucleus:
c) Post-ganglionic ganglion:
CNIII: Oculomotor
a) Intrinsic muscles of eyeball
b) Edinger-Westphal nucleus
c) Ciliary ganglion
CNVII: Facial
a) Supplies:
b) Pre-ganglionic nuclei:
c) Post-ganglionic ganglion:
CNVII: Facial
a) Supplies:
i) Submandibular and sublingual glands
ib) Salivatory
ic) Submandibular
ii) Lacrimal gland
iib) Lacrimal
iic) Pteryogopalatine