The Brain Stem

Question 1

What is the function of the brainstem?

Answer 1

To act as a relay station between the brain and the spinal chord or the nerves

Question 2

What two parts of the central nervous system does the brain stem connect?

Answer 2

The forebrain and the spinal chord

Question 3

What are the three sections of the brainstem?

Answer 3

1. The midbrain
2. The pons
3. The medulla oblongata
   2 + 3 sometimes called the hindbrain along with the cerebellum

Question 4

What is the brain like in an embryo?

Answer 4

A tube with a rostral end and a caudal end

Question 5

What does the forebrain develop from?

Answer 5

The phosenC

Question 6

What does the midbrain develop from?

Answer 6

The mesenC

Question 7

What does the hind brain develop from?

Answer 7

The rhomberC

Question 8

What are the pons and the cerebellum of the brain stem known as?

Answer 8

The rostral hindbrain

Question 9

What is the medulla oblongata known as?

Answer 9

The caudal hindbrain

Question 10

What is formed in the middle of the mid brain and what is this form?

Answer 10

A cerebral aqueduct for the spinal fluid

Question 11

What does the mid brain contain?

Answer 11

Axons carrying information from the forebrain and the spinal chord

Question 12

What are the five main parts of the midbrain?

Answer 12

1. The superior colliculous
2. The inferior colliculous
3. The red nucleus
4. The substantia nigra
5. The preaquaductal grey

Question 13

What does the superior colliculous do?

Answer 13

Recieves inputs from the eye and coordinates eye movement

Question 14

What does the inferior colliculous do?

Answer 14

Recieves information from the ear and relays it to the thalamus

Question 15

What do the red nucleus and the substantia nigra do?

Answer 15

Involved in planning and voluntary motor control

Question 16

What is the preaqueductal grey do?

Answer 16

Involved in sensation of pain

Question 17

What does the pons do?

Answer 17

Relays information between the frontal motor cortex and the spinal chord through its axons and from the cerebral cortex to the cerebellum

Question 18

What percentage of descending axons synapses onto cells in the pons?

Answer 18

90%

Question 19

What are the two important groups of nerve cells in the pons?

Answer 19

1. The reticular formation

2. The pontine nuclei

Question 20

What is the reticular formation?

Answer 20

Involved in conciousness/sleep

Question 21

What is the pontine nuclei?

Answer 21

The part of the pons that relays information from the cerebral cortex to the cerebellium - is involved in motor control

Question 22

Where do axons that do not terminate in the cells of the pons terminate?

Answer 22

In the medullary pyramids of the medulla oblongata

Question 23

What kind of fibres terminate in the medullary pyramind?

Answer 23

Corticospinal tract fibres from the frontal cortex to the spinal chord

Question 24

Name four functions of the medulla

Answer 24

1. Recieves sensory information and relays it to the thalmus
2. Respiratory control
3. Cardiovascular control
4. Temperature control

Question 25

Where do cranial nerves arise from?

Answer 25

The brain stem

Question 26

How many pairs of cranial nerves are there?

Answer 26

12

Question 27

Name two cranial nerves that are purely sensory?

Answer 27

The olifactory (smell) and the optic (sight)

Question 28

Name a cranial nerve that is purely motor?

Answer 28

The trochlear

Question 29

What is the vagus cranial nerve involved in?

Answer 29

Parasympathetic control of the heart, lunhs and abdoninal organs

Question 30

What are the three regulatory roles of the brain stem?

Answer 30

1. Respiratory control 2. Cardiovascular control 3. Control of blood supply