The brainstem nuclei and tracts Flashcards
where is the corpora quadrigemina
dorsal surface of the midbrain
where does the trochlear nerve arise from
the dorsal surface of the brain stem.
what is the function of the substantia nigra
contains the pars compacta which consists of melanin-containing neurons that produce dopamine
what is the primary motor pathway
from cortex to brainstem (corticobulbar tract) and spinal cord (corticospinal tract)
what are the Nuclei of the branchiomotor cell column
Trigeminal motor nucleus, facial motor nucleus, nucleus ambiguus.
what is the function of nucleus gracilis and nucleus cuneatus
pass somatic sensory information to thalamus
what is the function of the pons
unconscious processes such as your sleep-wake cycle and breathing.
contains several junction points for nerves that control muscles and carry information from senses in your head and face.
what is the function of the grey matter in the brainstem
consists of nerve cell bodies and forms many important brainstem nuclei.
what is the function of olivary nuclei
relays info from spinal cord, cerebral cortex and brainstem to the cerebellar cortex
what is in the brain stem
midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata
the lateral corticospinal tract controls what
the body (plating piano, tap dancing)
what is the corpora quadrigemina
composed of two superior colliculi (vision) and two inferior colliculi (hearing)
what is the function of the red nucleus?
receives information from the cerebrum and cerebellum
motor control, muscle tone, posture
what runs through the vestibular cochlear nerve
Fibres conveying the special senses of motion, positional sense and hearing
what is in the trochelar nucleus
The trochlear nerve which contains only somatic motor neurons
where is the trochlear nucleus found
nucleus in the ventral part of the periaqueductal grey.
where do all cranial nerves emerge
the anterior aspect of the brainstem (except the trochlear)
what is the function of the medulla oblongata
Key conduit for nerve signals to and from your body.
Helps control vital processes like your heartbeat, breathing and blood pressure.
what are the nuclei of the somatic efferent cell column
Oculomotor nucleus, trochlear nucleus, abducens nucleus, hypoglossal nucleus.
what is the descending motor pathway composed of
the pyramidal (conscious) system and theextrapyramidal (unconscious) system.
what is the unconscious tract of the sensory pathway composed of
spinocerebellar tracts.
what tracts are in the medulla
motor corticospinal tracts (form 2 ridges, the medullary pyramids)
what are the two descending tracts of the pyramidal tracts
Corticospinal tract
Corticobulbar tract
what is the function of the superior, middle and inferior cerebellar peduncles
tracts that process and relay info to/from the cerebellum
what are the dorsal and ventral portions of the midbrain known as
dorsal portion - tectum
ventral portion - tegmentum
where do the first 2 cranial nerves attach
forebrain
what is the function of the Nuclei of the branchiomotor cell column
Innervates striated muscles derived from the bronchial arches
what is the function of the Corticobulbar tract
controls the muscles of the face, head and neck
what receives inputs from sensory receptors
All 3 levels (brain, brainstem and spinal cord)
what is the function of the Nuclei of the parasympathetic cell column
Consists of preganglionic parasympathetic neurons that send axons into the III,VII, IX and X cranial nerves.
what does the pyramidal tracts pass through
through the pyramids of the medulla
what tracts are in the pons
- superior, middle, inferior cerebellar peduncles
-motor and sensory tracts transverse the anterior surface of the pons
what does the anterior corticospinal tract control
trunk muscles - core exercises
what is the function of the superior colliculi
relays input from optic tract to the lateral geniculate bodies of thalamus
what are corticopontine fibres
terminate in pontine nucleus of pons which establish connections with cerebellum and are involved in coordination of movement
lie on either side of the corticobulbar and corticospinal fibres
what tracts are found in the midbrain
motor tracts
sensory axons
cerebral peduncles (crus cerebri)
what relay nuclei are in the medulla
nucleus gracilis and nucles cuneatus
olivary nuclei
what is the ascending sensory pathway composed of
the posterior column pathway, the spinothalamic pathway and the spinocerebellar pathway.
where is the ocular motor nucleus
lies at the base of the periaqueductal grey
what terminates in the nucleus solitarius
Visceral afferents including taste fibres
what are the pyramidal tracts responsible for
the conscious, voluntary control of the body and face muscles
what is the ocular motor nucleus
has the cell bodies of The motor neurons serving the extra ocular muscle
where is the nucleus solitarius
medulla
where do Fibers carrying general sensory information (touch, pressure, pain, temperature) from the head terminate
the trigeminal sensory nucleus
what isthe reticular activating system
in the brainstem
involved in sleep wake cycles
what crainal nerves attach to the surface of the brain stem
(III-XII)
what nuclei are found in the midbrain
red nuclei
nuclei of cranial nerves III and IV (oculomotor and trochlear)
the substantia niga
what is the function of the Corticospinal tract
Carries information from the cerebral cortex to the spinal cord and controls movement of the torso, upper and lower limbs.
what is the function of the apneustic and pneumotaxic centres
work with medulla to maintain respiratory rhythm
what is the function of the inferior colliculi
send information to medial geniculate bodies of the thalamus
what nuclei are in the pons
- sensory and motor nuclei for trigeminal, abducens, facial and vestibular
- raphe nuclei
- reticular activating system
- apneustic and pneumotaxic centres
what autonomic nuclei are in the medulla
cardiovascular centers
respiratory rhythmicity centers (receive input from pons)
additional: emesis, deglutition
what is in the crus cerebri
consists of descending cortical efferent fibres that have left cerebral hemisphere via internal capsule
50% = corticobulbar and corticospinal fibres
where do Fibres conveying the special senses of motion, positional sense and hearing terminate
terminate in the vestibular and cochlear nuclei, respectively in the medulla.
at what level is the midbrain divided into dorsal and ventral portions
at the level of the cerebral aqueduct.
what is in the dorsal portion of the midbrain
which consists largely of the inferior and superior colliculi.
what are the Nuclei of the parasympathetic cell column
Erdinger-Westphal nucleus, superior and inferior salivatory nuclei, dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus.
where is the brainstem
between the cerebrum and the spinal cord
what enters the brain through the trigeminal nerve at the pons
Fibers carrying general sensory information (touch, pressure, pain, temperature) from the head
what sensory and motor nuclei are in the medulla
vestibular, glossopharyngeal, vagus, accessory and hypoglossal
what is the conscious tract of the sensory pathway composed ofs
the dorsal column-medial lemniscal pathway (posterior column pathway) and the spinothalamic pathway (anterolateral system).
what modulates activity at the brainstem and cortical levels (the cerebellum and basal ganglia0
feedback loops involving 2 independent subcortical systems
what is the ascending tracts of the sensory pathway
the neural pathways by which sensory information from the peripheral nerves is transmitted to the cerebral cortex.
whatis the function of the brain stem
produces automatic behaviours necessary for survival , such asbreathing, consciousness, blood pressure, heart rate, and sleep.
what is the final common pathway
the lower motor neurons of the spinal cord
what is the Corticobulbar tract composed of
upper motor neurons of the cranial nerves
