SDL 4 - Brainstem, Cerebellum & Cranial Nerves Flashcards
What are the 5 major subdivisions of the brain?
Which of the 5 subdivisions make up the brainstem?
- Telencephalon
- Diencephalon
- Mesencephalon
- Metencephalon
- Myelencephalon
The brainstem is made up from the mesencephalon, metencephalon and myelencephalon
Label the cranial nerves
Which structures are labelled?
what are their functions?
Cerebral peduncle:
- contain the large ascending (sensory) and descending (motor) nerve tracts that run to and from the cerebrum from the pons
Interpeduncular fossa:
- separates the cerebral peduncles
Decussation of pyramids:
- motor fibres from the 2 pyramids cross over and pass down opposite sides of the spinal cord
Anterolateral sulcus:
- rootlets of hypoglossal nerve emerge here
What is the name of the ridge that is visible on either side of the ventral midline of the medulla?
What is its function?
The pyramids lie either side of the ventral midline
they are formed by an accumulation of descending nerve fibres carrying motor information
What happens to the fibres of the pyramidal tract at the caudal end of the medulla?
The descending fibres decussate (cross over) the midline of the CNS at the caudal end of the medulla
As they decussate, they partially obliterate the midline longitudinal fissure
Label the dorsal view of the brainstem
In which regions of the brainstem is the central canal expanded to form the fourth ventricle?
It is located dorsal to the pons and upper medulla oblongata
What are the distinguishing features of the ventral surface of the medulla oblongata?
- 2 pyramids separated by the anterior median fissure
- Anterolateral sulcus that separates the pyramids from the olive
- Posterolateral sulcus that emerges dorsal to the olives
What are the distinguishing features of the ventral surface of the pons?
- Cerebellopontine angle - where the medulla and pons join the cerebellum laterally
- Basilar groove for basilar artery
What are the distinguishing features of the ventral surface of the midbrain?
- Cerebral peduncles
- separated by the interpeduncular fossa
What are the outlines of the transverse sections through different brainstem levels
What are the main functions of the cerebellum?
Coordination of movement
maintenance of balance and posture
Where is the cerebellum located?
It is below the occipital lobes of the telencephalon
(separated from it by the tentorium cerebelli)
It is located posterior to the brainstem and to it via three paired cerebellar peduncles
Label the cerebellum from above
Label the cerebellum viewed from the position of the pons
Are peduncles white or grey matter structures?
White matter
They contain a nerve tract that permits communication between the cerebellum and the other parts of the central nervous system
To which region of the brainstem does each cerebellar peduncle connect?
Superior:
- connects midbrain to cerebellum
Middle:
- connects pons to cerebellum
Inferior:
- connects medulla to cerebellum
Which vessels provide the arterial supply to the cerebellum?
From ventricular arteries:
- posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA)
From basilar artery:
- anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA)
- superior cerebellar artery (SCA)
What are the major functions of the cerebellum?
coordinates voluntary movements such as posture, balance, coordination, and speech, resulting in smooth and balanced muscular activity
What 3 abnormal signs are associated with cerebellar damage?
Past-pointing:
- if the eyes are closed, a pointing finger overshoots its intended mark towards the side of the cerebellar damage
Intention tremor:
- Broad, low frequency tremor
- The amplitude of an intention tremor increases as an extremity approaches the endpoint of deliberate and visually guided movement
Dysdiadochokinesis:
- impaired ability to perform rapid alternating movements
How is dysdiadochokinesis tested for?
Ask the patient to tap the palm of one hand with the fingers of the other
then rapidly turn over the fingers and tap the palm with the back of them, repeatedly
How is intention tremor tested for?
Finger-to-nose test
the physician has the individual touch their nose with their finger while monitoring for irregularity in timing and control of the movement
if someone has intention tremor, they will have coarse side-to-side movements that increase in severity as the finger approaches the nose
Which cranial nerves attach to the midbrain?
- Oculomotor nerve (III)
- Trochlear nerve (IV)
Which cranial nerves attach to the pons?
- Trigeminal nerve (V)
Pontomedullary junction:
- abducens nerve (VI)
- facial nerve (VII)
- Vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII)
Which cranial nerves attach to the medulla oblongata?
- Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX)
- vagus nerve (X)
- Accessory nerve (XI)
- hypoglossal nerve (XII)