The Brain Stem Flashcards
principle functions of the Brain Stem
relay/ conduit
integration & regulation of sensory info
cranial nerve origin & termination
rostral limit of brain stem
midbrain-diencephalon junction, below optic tracts
Cerebral Peduncle
links brainstem to thalamus/cortex
contains ascending/descending tracts
Crus Cerebri
location of motor tracts in cerebral peduncles
Tectum
superior/inferior colliculi - “roof” of midbrain
Tegmentum
“floor” of midbrain
contains red nucleus and substantia nigra
Red Nucleus
motor coordination and fine hand movement
origin of rubrospinal extra-pyramidal descending motor tract
Periaqueductal Gray
receives pain/temp info from lateral spinothalamic ascending tract
(gray matter in tegmentum)
Superior Cerebellar Peduncles
connects to midbrain
carries Anterior Spinocerebellar tracts
Middle Cerebellar Peduncles
connects to pons contralaterally
brain tracts
Inferior Cerebellar Peduncles
connects to medulla
posterior and cuneocerebellar tracts
Superior Colliculi
vision
Inferior Colliculi
sound
Gracile and Cuneate Fasciculus
Dorsal Columns of DCML ascending tract
synapse on second order neurons in medulla
decussate and forms medial lemniscus
Cerebral Peduncles (location)
ventral surface
only midbrain