Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

MD1 Neuroscience > Overview of Brainstem Organisation > Flashcards

Overview of Brainstem Organisation Flashcards

1
Q

What is the gateway between the spinal cord and higher cortical areas?

A

Brainstem

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the two major functions of the brainstem?

A

Reflexive and unconscious behaviour

Modulation of various arousal and conscious states

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Where is the brainstem located?

A

In the posterior cranial fossa, extending from the mammillary bodies to the pyramidal decussation caudally.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are the 3 divisions of the brainstem?

A

Midbrain, pons and medulla

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the two pairs of characteristic bumps on the dorsal aspect of the midbrain?

A

The superior and inferior colliculi

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Which part of the brainstem does the cerebellum attach to?

A

Pons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the pons limited by?

A

The 4th ventricle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Which parts of the pons form the floor of the 4th ventricle?

A

The facial colliculi

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What forms the facial colliculi

A

Abducens nucleus and fibres of CNVII (facial nerve)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What forms the dorsal aspect of the caudal medulla?

A

Dorsal columns and nuclei, forming the gracile and cuneate tubercles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What can be seen on the ventral aspect of the midbrain?

A

Cerebral peduncles with the interpeduncular fossa in between.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What can be seen on the ventral aspect of the pons?

A

The superior, middle and inferior cerebellar peduncles dorsolaterally attaching to the cerebellum.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What can be seen on the ventral aspect of the medulla?

A

Rostral: Inferior olivary nuclei

Pyramids descending to the pyramidal decussation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the tectum?

A

The “roof” of the midbrain - the dorsal part. It refers solely to the colliculi of the midbrain.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What forms the roof of the 4th ventricle?

A

The 4 colliculi, i.e. the tectum.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the tegmentum?

A

Where the spinal cord continues up into the brainstem - continous with the spinal cord.

Structures within the tegmentum go to the spinal cord.

These include the cranial nerves and reticular formation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is the basis?

A

The basillar pons - the anterior portion of the pons.

Important for descending motor control, e.g. attachments to cerebellum, from cerebellum to other nuclei and tracts important for motor systems.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Which part of the brainstem only applies to the colliculi and midbrain?

A

The tectum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Which part of the brainstem is a continuation of the spinal cord that travels throughout the entire brainstem?

A

Tegmentum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What does the tegmentum occupy?

A

Middle part of the midbrain

Dorsal part of the pons and medulla

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What does the tegmentum contain?

A

Nuclei for the cranial nerves and the reticular formation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is the sole focus of the basis?

A

Motor control

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Where do the spinal nerves end?

A

C2

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Which spinal cord segment lacks a dermatome?

A

C1

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What do the spinal nerves supply?

A

The body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What do the cranial nerves supply?

A

Somatic and visceral motor and sensory information to head

27
Q

Which cranial nerves also supply visceral sensory and motor innervation to neck, chest and most abdominal organs?

A

CNIX and X

28
Q

Which side of the brainstem do most cranial nerves exit?

29
Q

Which cranial nerve does not exit the brainstem on the ventral surface?

30
Q

Which cranial nerves are exclusively motor?

A

CNIII, IV and VI (control the eye) CNXI and XII

31
Q

Which cranial nerves are exclusively sensory?

A

CNI, II and VIII

32
Q

Which cranial nerves are mixed?

A

CNV, VII, IX and X

33
Q

What is the rule of 4 for the cranial nerves?

A

4 cranial nerves exit the medulla: CNIX-XII

4 exit the pons: CNV, VI, VII, VIII

4 exit above the pons: CNIII, IV

34
Q

Where do the cranial nerve nuclei lie during embryological development?

A

Adjacent to the ventricular system

35
Q

Which plate do the sensory nuclei develop from?

A

Alar plate

36
Q

Which plate do the motor nuclei develop from?

A

Basal plate

37
Q

How are the positions of the cranial nerve nuclei determined?

A

As the 4th ventricle develops, the alar plate (sensory nuclei) is pushed to the side, now sitting more lateral to the basal plate (motor nuclei).

38
Q

How are cranial nerve nuclei grouped?

A

Based on function

39
Q

Which nuclei are closer to the midline?

A

Motor nuclei (motor column)

40
Q

Which nuclei are positioned laterally?

A

Sensory nuclei (sensory column)

41
Q

How are the sensory and motor nuclei grouped within the brainstem?

A

Into 3 medial motor columns and 3 lateral sensory columns.

42
Q

What are the 3 motor columns (medial to lateral)?

A

General somatic motor

Branchial motor

General visceral

43
Q

What are the 3 sensory columns (medial to lateral)?

A

General and special visceral

General somatic

Special somatic

44
Q

Which nucleus is this?

A

Spinal trigeminal

45
Q

What is the tegmentum continuous with rostrally?

A

Certain nuclei in the thalamus

46
Q

What is the tegmentum continuous with caudally?

A

Intermediate grey of the spinal cord

47
Q

What is the function of the tegmentum rostrally (midbrain and upper pons)?

A

Mantains alert conscious state.

48
Q

What is the function of the tegmentum caudally (pons and medulla)?

A

Work together with cranial nerve nuclei and spinal cord to carry out a variety of important motor reflex and autonomic functions. Closer to spinal cord, therefore more spinal cord-like actions.

49
Q

What is the ascending reticular activating system?

A

Long projection systems from the rostral tegmentum.

50
Q

What 4 different systems does the ascending reticular activating system use?

A

Noradrenergic (locus cereleus)

Dopaminergic (e.g. substantia nigra)

Serotonergic (dorsal raphe nucleus)

Cholinergic

51
Q

What functions does the caudal reticular formation serve crucial functions in?

A

Motor reflex and autonomic functions

52
Q

What does the ventrolateral medullary (VLM) reticular formation do?

A

Regulates the visceral functions of CNX (Vagus): G

I responses (swallowing, vomiting)

Respiratory activities

Rhythm, coughing, hiccupping, sneezing

Cardiovascular responses

53
Q

What is the lateral medullary pontine reticular formation important for?

54
Q

What is the region of the reticular formation surrounding the facial nucleus important for?

A

Crying and smiling

55
Q

What are the 3 major pathways traversing the brainstem?

A

Ascending pathways:

  1. Dorsal column-medial lemniscus system
  2. Anterolateral system

Descending pathways:

  1. Corticospinal tract
56
Q

Which sensory modality is the dorsal column-medial lemniscus system for?

A

Fine touch-tactile, vibration

57
Q

Where does the dorsal column-medial lemniscus system decussate?

A

In the medulla, at the medial lemniscus

58
Q

Which sensory modality is the anterolateral system for?

A

Pain and temperature

59
Q

Where does the anterolateral system terminate?

A

In 3 different regions: thalamus, midbrain and reticular formation.

60
Q

What is the function of the corticospinal tract?

61
Q

Where does the corticospinal tract decussate?

A

At the pyramids

62
Q

What do the dorsal aspects of the brainstem contain?

A

Cranial nuclei and reticular formation

63
Q

What do the ventral (basis) aspects of the brainstem contain?

A

Structures associated with the descending motor tracts (corticospinal tracts).

Midbrain: cerebral peduncles, substantia nigra, red nuclei

Pons: CB nuclei, middle cerebellar peduncle

Medulla: inferior olivary nuclei

MD1 Neuroscience (23 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions