OCB03-2006 Flashcards
What makes up the hindbrain?
Pons
Cerebellum
Medulla
What is an alternative name for the midbrain?
Mesencephalon
What makes up the brainstem?
Midbrain and hindbrain
What is the diencephalon made up of?
Thalamus
Hypothalamus
What is the reticular formation responsible for and where is it found?
Arousal, cardiovascular and respiratory centres/roles
Found at level of medulla
Where is the raphe nucleus found?
Midline of brainstem
Where is the locus coeruleus nucleus found and what is its significance?
At level of pons in brainstem
Centre of noradrenergic pathways
What are the raphe and locus coeruleus nuclei mainly responsible for?
Mood
Sleep
Where is the substantia nigra found?
At level of midbrain, ventromedially
What is the function of the substantia nigra and its clinical importance?
Movement control
Loss of dopaminergic neurons => Parkinson’s disease
Where is the centre of all dopaminergic pathways?
Ventral tegmental area and substantia nigra
How does the dorsal surface of the brainstem differ at the level of the closed and open medulla?
Closed medulla = rounded
Open medulla = flaps/concave
Why is there a “closed” and “open” medulla?
Medulla becomes open when the central canal opens superiorly into the fourth ventricle
Describe the gracile fasciculi.
Ascending pathways for fine touch and conscious proprioception or vibration
Synapse at level of closed medulla with gracile nuclei
Dorsal and more medial than cuneate fasciculi
Describe the cuneate fasciculi.
Ascending pathways for fine touch and conscious proprioception or vibration
Synapse at level of closed medulla with cuneate fasciculi
Doral and more lateral than gracile fasciculi
Describe the medullary pyramids.
Contain axons of corticospinal tract (motor)
Main pathway in voluntary control of limbs
Ventral
Axons cross over at level of closed medulla = “decussation of pyramids”
What fills the central canal of the medulla?
CSF
Which cranial nerve nuclei are found at the level of the closed medulla?
Accessory nerve nuclei medially
Trigeminal nerve spinal nuclei laterally
What is the hole found dorsally at the level of the pons?
Cerebral aqueduct
What is the function of the axons running horizontally at the level of the pons?
Pontocerebellar fibres
Take motor info from pontine nuclei to cerebellum through basilar pons and middle cerebellar peduncle
Where do corticobulbar tracts originate and terminate?
Cortex to cranial nerve motor nuclei
What is the periaqueductal grey and why is it important?
Grey matter around the beginning of the cerebral aqueduct
Important in pain control
What is the importance of the superior and inferior colliculi?
Responsible for reflex eye movement (connected to extraocular muscles)
Superior colliculi = in response to visual stimuli
Inferior colliculi = in response to sound
What are the structures that indicate the position of the midbrain?
2 bumps = superior and inferior colliculi
What are the cerebral peduncles?
2 big blocks of white matter ventrolaterally at level of midbrain
Mainly descending axons
What is the position of the substantia nigra relative to the cerebral peduncles?
Medial
What gives the substantia nigra its name?
Neuromelanin
Is the substantia nigra grey or white matter?
Grey matter
Which part of the autonomic system has associations with cranial nerves?
Parasympathetic
What is the clinical significance of the brainstem housing cranial nerve nuclei?
Cranial nerve testing can be used to look at brainstem integrity