Region 12 - Head Flashcards
Where is the primary motor cortex?
Pre-central gyrus of the dorsal frontal lobe
Where is the somatosensory cortex?
Post-central gyrus of the parietal lobe
Where is Broca’s area?
Frontal lobe superior to ventral lateral fissure
What is Broca’s area responsible for?
Production of speech
Where is Wernicke’s area?
Posterosuperior temporal lobe:
- Posterior superior temporal gyrus
What is Wernicke’s area responsible for?
Comprehending speech
Where is the visual cortex?
Posterior pole of occipital lobe
Where is the auditory cortex?
Superior aspect of each temporal lobe
What does the lateral fissure contain?
Middle cerebral artery
What does the longitudinal fissure contain?
Anterior cerebral arteries
What is the corpus callosum?
White matter tract connecting the cerebral hemispheres
Where do the association tracts of the corpus callosum run between?
Gyri of the same hemisphere
Where do the commissural fibres/tracts of the corpus callosum run between?
From one region of a hemisphere to the contralateral corresponding region
Where do the projection fibres of the corpus callosum run between?
From cerebrum to:
- Thalamus
- Brainstem
What are the functions of the basal ganglia?
Regulates initiation and termination of body movements Involved with (via limbic system): - Memory - Planning - Emotional response
What is the lentiform nucleus?
Globus pallidus plus Putamen
Where is the substantia nigra?
Midbrain
What does the substantia nigra communicate with?
Caudate nucleus
Putamen
What do the subthalamic nuclei communicate with?
Globus pallidus
What is the thalamus a station for?
A major sensory relay station
What structures communicate with the cerebral hemispheres via the thalamus?
Spinal cord
Brainstem
Midbrain
What else does the thalamus connect to (aside from cerebral hemispheres)?
Hypothalamus
Limbic system
What are the functions of the hypothalamus?
Regulates ANS Homeostasis: - Thirst - Temperature Hormone production
What hormones does the hypothalamus produce?
Antidiuretic hormone Oxytocin Thyrotropin releasing hormone Corticotropin releasing hormone Somatostation Growth hormone-releasing hormone Gonadotropin-releasing hormon Dopamine
What does the hypothalamus have connections with?
Pituitary gland
What does the pineal gland produce?
Melatonin:
- Circadian rhythm
What are the parts of the epithalamus?
Pineal gland
Habenular nucleus:
- Olfaction
- Emotional response
What are the parts of the diencephalon?
Thalamus
Hypothalamus
Pineal gland
What cranial nerves originate from the midbrain?
III
IV
What does the midbrain connect?
Pons and medulla to diencephalon
What is the function of the superior colliculus of the midbrain?
Visual tracking
Scanning
What is the function of the inferior colliculus of the midbrain?
Auditory startle reflex
What is the function of the substantia nigra of the midbrain?
Controls subconscious muscle action
What is the function of the red nuclei of the midbrain?
Coordinate muscle movement
What are the functions of the pons?
Pontine nuclei: - Coordination - Maximise voluntary motor output Pneumotaxic tract: - Controls breathing
What cranial nerves originate from the pons?
V
VI
VII
VIIIv
What are the pyramids of the medulla?
The motor tracts of the medulla:
- Lie medially
What are the functions of the medulla?
Cardiovascular centres: - Rate and force of heartbeat - Vessel diameter Breathing centres Nuclei concerned with: - Touch - Pressure - Vibration
What are the olives of the medulla?
Deal with proprioception:
- Lie laterally
What cranial nerves originate from the medulla?
VIIIc IX X XI XII
What structure of the cerebellum lies between its two hemispheres?
Vermis
What are the functions of the cerebellum?
Controls subconscious aspects of skeletal muscle movement Coordinates complex sequences Regulates: - Posture - Balance
What does the superior cerebellar peduncle connect the cerebellum to?
Midbrain
What does the middle cerebellar peduncle connect the cerebellum to?
Pons
What does the inferior cerebellar peduncle connect the cerebellum to?
Medulla
What are the folds in the cerebellum called?
Folia
Where is the pituitary gland found?
In pituitary fossa:
- Sella turcica
What is the pituitary gland covered by?
Diaphragma sellae
What hormones are released by the anterior pituitary gland?
Growth hormone Adrenocorticotropic hormone Thyroid stimulating hormone Follicle stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone Prolactin
What hormones are released by the posterior pituitary gland?
Oxytocin
Antidiuretic hormone
What do the anterior cerebral arteries supply?
Frontal lobe
Parietal lobes
What do the middle cerebral arteries supply?
Temporal lobes
What do the posterior cerebral arteries supply?
Occipital lobe
Base of brain
What are the branches of the basilar artery?
Cerebellar arteries
Pontine arteries
Medullary arteries
Where do the vertebral arteries arise?
Subclavian arteries
What are the functions of the dura mater?
Lines skull
Protects brain
Forms dural venous sinuses
What are the functions of the arachnoid mater?
Covers surface of brain
Carries blood vessels
Where does the pia mater lie?
Adheres to surface of brain:
- Goes into sulci
- Goes around gyri
What structures does the dura mater form?
Falx cerebri (between cerebral hemispheres)
Falx cerebelli
Tentorium cerebelli
Diaphragma sellae
Where does the anterior meningeal artery arise from?
Ethmoid branches of ICA
What does the anterior meningeal artery supply?
Dura of anterior fossa
From what artery does the middle meningeal artery arise?
Maxillary artery
How does the middle meningeal artery enter the skull?
Foramen spinosum
Trauma to what region can damage the middle meningeal artery? What can this result in?
Pterion
Results in:
- Extradural haemorrhage
- Compression of brain
From what artery does the posterior meningeal artery arise?
Occipital artery
What does the posterior meningeal artery supply?
Dura of posterior fossa
What nerve supplies the anterior falx cerebri?
Anterior meningeal branches of ethmoidal nerve (CN V1)
What nerves supply the dura of the anterior cranial fossa?
Anterior meningeal branches of ethmoid nerve (CN V1)
Meningeal branch of CN V2
Meningeal branches of CN V3
What nerves supply the dura of the middle cranial fossa?
Meningeal branch of CN V2
Meningeal branches of CN V3
From what nerve does the tentorial nerve arise?
Meningeal branch of CN V1
What does the tentorial nerve supply?
Tentorium cerebelli
Posterior falx cerebri (roof of posterior cranial fossa)
What nerves supply the floor of the posterior cranial fossa?
C2 and C3 fibres
What veins drain into the superior sagittal sinus?
Superior cerebral veins
What veins drain into the straight sinus?
Inferior sagittal sinus
Great cerebral vein
What forms the great cerebral vein?
Internal cerebral veins
What veins meet at the confluence of sinuses?
Superior sagittal sinus
Straight sinus
Occipital sinus
What is the route of drainage from the confluence of sinuses?
Drains to transverse sinus
Transverse sinus drains to sigmoid sinus
Sigmoid sinus drains to IJVs
Between what do the dural venous sinuses form?
Periosteum and dura eg: - Sigmoid sinus - Superior sagittal sinus OR Between 2 layers of dura eg: - Inferior sagittal sinus
How can the emissary veins of the scalp be a potential route for infection?
Drain to superior sagittal sinus
How can the facial and infra-orbital veins be a potential route for infection?
Drain to cavernous sinus
Where do the lateral ventricles lie?
In each cerebral hemisphere
Where does the cerebral aqueduct run? What does it connect?
Through midbrain
Connects 3rd and 4th ventricles
Where is the 3rd ventricle?
Inside thalamus
What connects the lateral ventricles to the 3rd ventricle?
Interventricular foramina of Monro
How does the 4th ventricle connect to the subarachnoid space?
Lateral apertures: - x2 - aka Foramina of Luschka Median aperture: - aka Foramen of Magendie
Aside from the subarachnoid space, what else is the 4th ventricle connected to?
Central canal of spinal cord
What is the function of CSF?
Provides mechanical and physical protection to brain and spinal cord
Where is CSF produced?
In choroid plexuses of all ventricles:
- Mostly in roof of lateral ventricles
How is CSF recycled?
Reabsorbed through subarachnoid granulations and villi into dural venous sinuses
What bones form the anterior cranial fossa?
Frontal bone (anteriorly) Ethmoid bone (middle) Sphenoid bone (posteriorly): - Body - Lesser wings
What structure extends superiorly from the ethmoid bone? What structures lie either side of it?
Crista galli
Cribiform plates of ethmoid lie on either side:
- Foramina transmit CN I
What parts of the sphenoid bone contribute to the middle cranial fossa?
Sella turcica of body of sphenoid (centrally)
Depressed lateral parts of body
Greater wings (laterally)
What parts of the temporal bone contribute to the middle cranial fossa?
Squamous part (laterally) Petrous part (posteriorly)
What foramina are found in the middle cranial fossa?
Superior orbital fissure
Foramen rotundum
Foramen ovale
Foramen spinosum
In what bone are the foramina of the middle cranial fossa found?
Cerebral surfaces of the greater wing of sphenoid
What structures does the superior orbital fissure transmit?
Cranial nerves III, IV, V1 and VI
Ophthalmic veins
SNS fibres from cavernous plexus
What structure does the foramen rotundum transmit?
CN V2
What structures does the foramen ovale transmit?
Otic ganglion CN V3 Accessory meningeal artery Lesser petrosal nerve (PNS from CN IX) Emissary veins
What structures does the foramen spinosum transmit?
Middle meningeal artery and vein
Meningeal branch of CN V3
Where does the foramen lacerum lie?
Posterolateral to the sella turcica
What does the foramen lacerum transmit?
Deep petrosal nerve (SNS from internal carotid plexus)
Emissary veins
Some meningeal artery branches
What cranial fossa does the optic canal lie in?
Can be considered a part of the anterior or middle cranial fossa
What does the optic canal transmit?
CN II
Ophthalmic artery
How does the ICA enter the skull?
Passes through carotid canal
Enters middle cranial fossa at superior aspect of foramen lacerum
What bones form the posterior cranial fossa?
Occipital bone
Temporal bone:
- Petrous part (anterolaterally)
What foramina lie in the posterior cranial fossa?
Foramen magnum
Jugular foramen
Hypoglossal canal
What structures does the foramen magnum transmit?
Medulla and meninges
Vertebral and spinal arteries
CN XI
Dural veins
What structures does the jugular foramen transmit?
Cranial nerves IX, X and XI
IJV
What structure does the hypoglossal canal transmit?
CN XII
Grooves for what structures lie on each side of the posterior cranial fossa?
Transverse sinus
Sigmoid sinus
Where does the internal acoustic meatus lie?
Anterosuperior to the jugular foramen
What structures does the internal acoustic meatus transmit?
Cranial nerves VII and VIII Labyrinthine artery (from AICA)
What are the olfactory nerves essentially?
Outgrowths of telencephalon
What is the course of the olfactory nerves?
Nerves from olfactory mucosa travel through cribiform plate to olfactory bulb
Olfactory tracts from olfactory bulb travel to prepiriform area of amygdala:
- Primary olfactory cortex
What are the optic nerves an extension of?
Diencephalon
What is the course of the optic nerve?
Retina -> Optic canal -> Optic chiasm -> Optic tracts
Where do 90% of the fibres from the optic nerve travel to?
Lateral geniculate nucleus of the thalamus
Then to striate area of visual cortex
Where do the remaining 10% of the fibres from the optic nerve travel to?
Along medial root (non-geniculate):
- Unconscious regulation
Where does the oculomotor nerve originate from?
Midbrain
How does the oculomotor nerve travel to the orbit?
Runs in lateral wall of cavernous venous sinus
Traverses superior orbital fissure
Travels through annulus of Zinn (annular ring)
What is the annular ring?
Tendinous ring
Origin of the 4 extraocular recti muscles
What nerves travel through the annular ring?
Superior and inferior divisions of CN III Nasociliary nerve (CN V1) Abducent nerve (CN IV)
What muscles does the oculomotor nerve supply?
Via superior division: - Superior rectus - Levator palpebrae Via inferior division: - Inferior oblique - Medial rectus - Inferior rectus
What structures does CN III give PNS supply to?
Sphincter pupillae (constriction) Ciliary muscle
From where does the trochlear nerve originate?
Posterior midbrain
What does the origin of CN IV infer for the nerve?
Longest intracranial route of any cranial nerve
What is the course of CN IV?
Runs in lateral wall of cavernous dural venous sinus
Enters orbit via superior orbital fissure
Lies outside of annular ring
What is CN IV the only cranial nerve to do?
All fibres cross-over to contralateral side
What is the function of CN IV?
Motor fibres to superior oblique
From where does CN V originate?
Pons
What is the course of CN V1?
Runs in lateral wall of cavernous dural venous sinus
Enters orbit via superior orbital fissure
What are the branches of CN V1?
Frontal nerve
Lacrimal nerve
Nasociliary nerve
What structures does CN V1 give sensory supply to?
Eye (afferent limb of corneal blink reflex) Lacrimal gland Eyebrow and upper lid Skin of forehead Skin of dorsal nose (bridge) Anterosuperior nasal cavity
What is the course of CN V2?
Runs in lateral wall of cavernous dural venous sinus
Enters pterygopalatine fossa via foramen rotundum
What structures does CN V2 give sensory supply to?
Skin of cheek Lower lid Upper jaw and teeth Side of nose Mucosa of mouth
What is the course of CN V3?
Travels through foramen ovale
Runs along inferior surface of base of skull
What structures does CN V3 give sensory supply to?
External auditory canal
Parotid gland
Lower jaw and teeth
Anterior 2/3 of tongue and floor of mouth
What structures does CN V3 give motor supply to?
Muscles of mastication Anterior belly of digastric Mylohyoid Tensor tympani Veli tensor palatini
What fibres, from what cranial nerve, does the lacrimal nerve from CN V1 carry?
PNS fibres from CN VII to lacrimal gland
What fibres, from what cranial nerve, does the zygomatic nerve from CN V2 carry?
PNS fibres from CN VII to lacrimal nerve
What fibres, from what cranial nerve, does the auriculotemporal nerve from CN V3 carry?
PNS fibres from CN IX from tympanic nerve to parotid gland
What fibres, from what cranial nerve, does the lingual nerve from CN V3 carry?
PNS fibres from CN VII from chorda tympani
Where does CN VI originate?
Pons
What is the course of CN VI?
Passes through cavernous dural venous sinus (with ICA)
Traverses superior orbital fissure
Travels through annular ring
What is the function of CN VI?
Motor to lateral rectus
How can the course of CN VI be described?
Longest intradural course of any cranial nerve
Where does CN VII originate?
Caudal pons
How does CN VII enter the temporal bone? How does the nerve travel through the temporal bone?
Enters internal acoustic meatus to run through facial canal
What fibres does the greater petrosal nerve from CN VII contain?
PNS
What does the greater petrosal nerve join and what does it form?
Joins deep petrosal nerve
Forms nerve of pterygoid canal
What are the functions of the nerve of pterygoid canal?
ANS supply to:
- LAcrimal gland
- Palatine glands
- Nasal glands
What 3 branches of CN VII arise in the facial canal?
Greater petroal nerve
Nerve to stapedius
Chorda tympani
How does CN VII leave the temporal bone?
Stylomastoid foramen
Where does CN VIII originate?
Pontomedullary junction
What are the vestibular projections of CN VIII?
Cerebellum
Cranial nerves III, IV and VI
Spinal tracts
What are the cochlear projections of CN VIII?
Inferior colliculus
Medial geniculate nucleus of thalamus:
- Then to auditory cortex (Brodmann area 41 in temporal lobe)
Where does CN IX originate?
Lateral aspect of medulla
How does CN IX leave the cranium?
Anterior aspect of jugular foramen
What structures does CN IX give PNS supply to?
Parotid galnd
Buccal glands
Labial glands
What special sensory fibres does CN IX transmit?
Taste from posterior 1/3 of tongue
What is the motor distribution of CN IX?
Stylopharyngeus
Also pharyngeal plexus
What structures does CN IX give sensory supply to?
Posterior 1/3 tongue Soft palate Pharynx Tympanic cavity and membrane Phayngotympanic tube Pinna External auditory meatus
What reflex is CN IX the afferent limb of?
Gag reflex (via sensations from soft palate and pharynx)
Where does the carotid sinus nerve branch of CN IX travel to?
Carotid sinus (baroreceptor) Carotid body (chemoreceptor) Both as base of ICA
Where does the vagus nerve arise?
Series of rootlets from the lateral aspect of the medulla
What is the motor distribution of CN X?
Soft palate Pharynx Intrinsic pharyngeal muscles Palatoglossus (Pharyngeal plexus)
What is the sensory distribution of CN X?
Dura (posterior cranial fossa) EAM Lower pharynx Laryngeal mucosa Thoracic and abdominal viscera
What is the course of the spinal accessory nerve?
Originates from spinal cord
Ascends through foramen magnum
Joins its ‘cranial root’
Leaves through jugular foramen
What is the cranial root of CN XI now considered?
Another root of CN X
What is the function of CN XI?
Motor supply to:
- SCM
- Trapezius
What is the course of CN XII?
Originates from medulla anterior to olive
Passes through hypoglossal canal
Enters root of tongue above hyoid
What is the motor distribution of CN XII?
All intrinsic tongue muscles
Styloglossus
Genioglossus
Hyoglossus