Pre-Midterm Flashcards
the pons connects the brain stem with the _____ and the _____
diencephalon and cerebrum
in reference to the parts of the brain stem, where is the pons located
Inferior to the midbrain
anterior to the cerebellum
superior to the medulla oblongata
the pons connects the brain to the _____ and the _____ _____
medulla and spinal cord
* this is the “downstate” connection
the pons connects the _____ _____and the _____ to the cerebellum
brain stem and cerebrum
what is the function of the middle cerebellar peduncles
connect the opposite half of the cerebellum with the pons (crossover sensory axons from the pons)
*important structure of the pons
what is the function of the superior cerebellar peduncles
- Carry EFFERENT axons up
- Connect the cerebellum with the “upstairs” on the opposite side: thalamus, red nucleus, basal ganglia, and reticular formation of the midbrain
everything that goes to the cerebellum is considered _____
*Everything that EXITS the cerebellum is considered_____ Our notes say “exit” not “goes to”
EFFERENT (motor), even if it is going UP at times.
*motor is typically descending and sensory is typically ascending
the reticular formation extends from the _____ to the _____
medulla to the thalamus
T/F
the reticular formation has connections with all parts of the PNS
F; CNS
which structure of the pons plays an important role in: muscle reflexes, sensory impulses, respiration, cardiovascular reflexes, sleep-wake cycle, homeostasis, and consciousness?
The reticular formation
what are the two vital centers of the pons and what do they regulate
The regulation respiration
- Apneustic: initiates or starts breathing
- Pneumothaxic: stops or terminates breathing
which cranial nerves originate in the pons
cranial nerves V, VI, VII, VIII
Cranial nerve V
Trigeminal-
Motor: for mastication
Sensory: for feeling of the head and face
Cranial nerve VI
Abducens -
abducts the eye ball by contracting eye muscle lateral rectus
Cranial nerve VII
Facial -
moves facial muscles, salivates, lacrimates, feels taste on the anterior 2/3 of the tongue
*only nerve that produces our facial expressions; has parasympathetic branches
Cranial nerve VIII
Vestibulo-Cochlear -
controls hearing and equillibrium
*purely sensory; connects inner ear with cerebrum and cerebellum
what is the location of the medulla oblongata
Situated between the pons and the spinal cord
Anterior to the cerebellum
what are the largest motor tracts for voluntary, conscious movement?
Pyramids (an important structure in the medulla oblongata)
Pyramids of the medulla oblongata connect…?
where does this connection happen?
motor areas of the cerebrum with the opposite side of the spinal cord and the body
this crossover occurs in the decussation of the pyramids, on the border of the medulla and the spinal cord
Cardiovascular center of the medulla oblongata
- important nuclei of the medulla
- controls heart rate, force of cardiac contraction, diameter of blood vessels, blood pressure, and blood volume.
Rhythmicity Area of the medulla oblongata
- Important nuclei of the medulla
- controls basic rhythm of respiration (posterior medulla)
- sneezing, hiccuping and coughing are included in this center
Area postrema of the medulla oblongata
- Important nuclei of the medulla oblongata
- Controls nausea and vomiting
Deglutition Center of the medulla oblongata
- important nuclei of the medulla
- responsible for swallowing
Olives
- Important nuclei of the medulla oblongata
- lateral to pyramids
- synapse nuclei for spino-cerebellar tracts for proprioception (automatic subconscious identification of joint positions)
Nuclei Gracillus and Cuneatus of the medulla oblongata
- synapse/relay nuclei for medial lemniscus tracts (posterior medulla)
What cranial nerves originate in the medulla oblongata
CN IX, X, XI, XII
Cranial nerve IX
Glossopharangeal-
Major nerve for swallowing
controls palate muscles, parotid gland, taste and other sensations from posterior 1/3 of tongue
Cranial nerve X
Vagus nerve
controls sensations from the pharyngeal mucosa, major parasympathetic/visceral nerve of the body
*Longest nerve in the body & major parasympathetic nerve of the body
Responsible for a gag reflex
Cranial nerve XI
Accessory Nerve
Controls SCM and trapezius muscle
(motor nerve that controls head and neck)
Cranial nerve XII
Hypoglossal-
Moves the tongue
What is the location of the cerebellum
Situated posterior to the brain stem
Which brain structure contains nearly half of the brain’s neurons
Cerebellum
What structure separates the cerebellum from the cerebrum?
the transverse fissure and tentorium cerebelli (formed by the folding of the dura mater)
What is the anatomy of the cerebellum
- contains a vermis and flacculo-nodular lobe at the center (DU and CV channels reside here)
- grey matter outside and white matter inside (arbor vitae “tree of life”)
what is the function of the anterior and posterior lobes of each cerebellar hemisphere?
controls subconscious aspects of skeletal muscles’ movement
What is the function of the vermis and the flocculo-nudular lobe
contributes to equilibrium and balance maintenance
What is the function of the inferior cerebellar peduncles
Carry AFFERENT and EFFERENT axons to and from the medulla oblongata
(travels in an ascending and descending manner)
Which brain structure’s nuclei are involved in subconscious movement and coordination, posture and balance (based on subconscious proprioception), and maintenance, including coordination of ocular and vestibular reflexes?
Cerebellum
what are pyramids or cortico-spinal tracts?
within the medulla oblongata–the largest motor tracts of voluntary(conscious) movement
