PBL Flashcards
List the 4 main divisions of the brain.
- Brainstem
- Cerebellum
- Diencephalon
- Cerebrum
What fascial layers cover the brain?
The meninges.
Which fluid bathes the brain?
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
What does the grey matter of brain contain?
Neuronal cell bodies
Where is grey matter found in the brain?
In the surface of the cerebral and cerebellar hemispheres, as well as in several deep nuclei/ganglia.
What is white matter of the brain formed by?
Myelinated neuronal axons
White matter connects the brain to…
The spinal cord and cranial nerves.
Which forms more of the brain, grey or white matter?
White matter.
What three structures make up the brainstem?
- Midbrain
- Pons
- Medulla oblongata
Describe the anatomical position of the brainstem.
- Lies medially and inferiorly
2. Continuous inferiorly with spinal cord at foramen magnum
Fibres of the brainstem connect…
The peripheral and central nervous systems.
What does the brainstem contain?
- The nuclei from which most cranial nerves originate
2. Vital centres that regulate breathing, digestion, heart rate, blood pressure and consciousness
What is the most inferior portion of the brainstem?
The medulla oblongata
What nuclei are contained in the medulla oblongata?
- Cardiac centre
- Respiratory centre
- Vasomotor centre
- Special senses nuclei
- Cranial nerve nuclei
What does the cardiac centre in the medulla oblongata do?
Regulates heart rate and the force of contraction.
What does the respiratory centre in the medulla oblongata do?
Regulates respiratory movements.
What does the vasomotor centre in the medulla oblongata do?
Regulates blood vessel diameter.
Which special senses nuclei are located in the medulla oblongata?
- Gustatory nucleus (taste)
- Cochlear nuclei (hearing)
- Vestibular nuclei (hearing)
Which cranial nerve nuclei are located in the medulla oblongata?
- CN IX - glossopharyngeal
- CN X - vagus
- CN XI - accessory
- CN XII - hypoglossal
Where is the pons located within the brainstem?
On the anterior surface in front of the cerebellum.
What fibres make up the pons?
- Fibres descending from cerebrum to cerebellum and spinal cord
- Ascending fibres to the thalamus
- Fibres that connect the two lobes of the cerebellum
Which nuclei are contained within the pons?
- Pontine nuclei
2. Cranial nerve nuclei
What do the Pontine nuclei of the pons do?
Connect the cerebrum to the cerebellum and co-ordinate voluntary movement
Which cranial nerve nuclei are located within the pons?
- CN V - trigeminal
- CN VI - abducens
- CN VII - facial
- CN VIII - Vestibulocochlear
Which nuclei of the pons are located anteriorly and which are located posteriorly?
Anteriorly: pontine nuclei
Posteriorly: cranial nerve nuclei
What is the smallest part of the brain stem?
The midbrain - 1.5cm
List some of the things that the midbrain is responsible for.
- Visual response
- Gustatory response
- Co-ordination of movement
List some features of the midbrain.
- Cranial nerve nuclei
- Central grey substance
- Reticular formation
Which cranial nerve nuclei are located in the midbrain?
- CN III - oculomotor
2. CN IV - trochlear
What does the central grey substance of the midbrain do?
Surrounds the cerebral aqueduct and controls our perception of pain.