The brainstem nuclei and tracts

Question 1

where is the corpora quadrigemina

Answer 1

dorsal surface of the midbrain

Question 2

where does the trochlear nerve arise from

Answer 2

the dorsal surface of the brain stem.

Question 3

what is the function of the substantia nigra

Answer 3

contains the pars compacta which consists of melanin-containing neurons that produce dopamine

Question 4

what is the primary motor pathway

Answer 4

from cortex to brainstem (corticobulbar tract) and spinal cord (corticospinal tract)

Question 5

what are the Nuclei of the branchiomotor cell column

Answer 5

Trigeminal motor nucleus, facial motor nucleus, nucleus ambiguus.

Question 6

what is the function of nucleus gracilis and nucleus cuneatus

Answer 6

pass somatic sensory information to thalamus

key relay stations in the dorsal column–medial lemniscus pathway
Fasciculus gracilis → lower body
Fasciculus cuneatus → upper body

Question 7

what is the function of the pons

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

what is the function of the grey matter in the brainstem

Answer 8

consists of nerve cell bodies and forms many important brainstem nuclei.

Question 9

what is the function of olivary nuclei

Answer 9

relays info from spinal cord, cerebral cortex and brainstem to the cerebellar cortex

Question 10

what is in the brain stem

Answer 10

midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata

Question 11

the lateral corticospinal tract controls what

Answer 11

the body (plating piano, tap dancing)

Question 12

what is the corpora quadrigemina

Answer 12

composed of two superior colliculi (vision) and two inferior colliculi (hearing)

Question 13

what is the function of the red nucleus?

Answer 13

receives information from the cerebellum
motor control, muscle tone, posture

gives rise to the rubrospinal tract

Question 14

what runs through the vestibular cochlear nerve

Answer 14

Fibres conveying the special senses of motion, positional sense and hearing

Question 15

what is in the trochelar nucleus

Answer 15

The trochlear nerve which contains only somatic motor neurons

Question 16

where is the trochlear nucleus found

Answer 16

nucleus in the ventral part of the periaqueductal grey.

Question 17

where do all cranial nerves emerge

Answer 17

the anterior aspect of the brainstem (except the trochlear)

Question 18

what is the function of the medulla oblongata

Answer 18

Key conduit for nerve signals to and from your body.
Helps control vital processes like your heartbeat, breathing and blood pressure.

Question 19

what are the nuclei of the somatic efferent cell column

Answer 19

Oculomotor nucleus, trochlear nucleus, abducens nucleus, hypoglossal nucleus.

Question 20

what is the descending motor pathway composed of

Answer 20

the pyramidal (conscious) system and theextrapyramidal (unconscious) system.

Question 21

what is the unconscious tract of the sensory pathway composed of

Answer 21

spinocerebellar tracts.

Question 22

what tracts are in the medulla

Answer 22

motor corticospinal tracts (form 2 ridges, the medullary pyramids)

Question 23

what are the two descending tracts of the pyramidal tracts

Answer 23

Corticospinal tract
Corticobulbar tract

Question 24

what is the function of the superior, middle and inferior cerebellar peduncles

Answer 24

tracts that process and relay info to/from the cerebellum

Question 25

what are the dorsal and ventral portions of the midbrain known as

Answer 25

dorsal portion - tectum ventral portion - tegmentum

Question 26

where do the first 2 cranial nerves attach

Answer 26

forebrain

Question 27

what is the function of the Nuclei of the branchiomotor cell column

Answer 27

Innervates striated muscles derived from the bronchial arches

Question 28

what is the function of the Corticobulbar tract

Answer 28

controls the muscles of the face, head and neck

Question 29

what receives inputs from sensory receptors

Answer 29

All 3 levels (brain, brainstem and spinal cord)

Question 30

what is the function of the Nuclei of the parasympathetic cell column

Answer 30

Consists of preganglionic parasympathetic neurons that send axons into the III,VII, IX and X cranial nerves.

Question 31

what does the pyramidal tracts pass through

Answer 31

through the pyramids of the medulla

Question 32

what tracts are in the pons

Answer 32

- superior, middle, inferior cerebellar peduncles -motor and sensory tracts transverse the anterior surface of the pons

Question 33

what does the anterior corticospinal tract control

Answer 33

trunk muscles - core exercises

Question 34

what is the function of the superior colliculi

Answer 34

relays input from optic tract to the lateral geniculate bodies of thalamus

Question 35

what are corticopontine fibres

Answer 35

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

Question 36

what tracts are found in the midbrain

Answer 36

motor tracts sensory axons cerebral peduncles (crus cerebri)

Question 37

what relay nuclei are in the medulla

Answer 37

nucleus gracilis and nucles cuneatus olivary nuclei

Question 38

what is the ascending sensory pathway composed of

Answer 38

the posterior column pathway, the spinothalamic pathway and the spinocerebellar pathway.

Question 39

where is the ocular motor nucleus

Answer 39

lies at the base of the periaqueductal grey

Question 40

what terminates in the nucleus solitarius

Answer 40

Visceral afferents including taste fibres

Question 41

what are the pyramidal tracts responsible for

Answer 41

the conscious, voluntary control of the body and face muscles

Question 42

what is the ocular motor nucleus

Answer 42

has the cell bodies of The motor neurons serving the extra ocular muscle

Question 43

where is the nucleus solitarius

Answer 43

medulla

Question 44

where do Fibers carrying general sensory information (touch, pressure, pain, temperature) from the head terminate

Answer 44

the trigeminal sensory nucleus

Question 45

what isthe reticular activating system

Answer 45

in the brainstem involved in sleep wake cycles

Question 46

what crainal nerves attach to the surface of the brain stem

Answer 46

(III-XII)

Question 47

what nuclei are found in the midbrain

Answer 47

red nuclei nuclei of cranial nerves III and IV (oculomotor and trochlear) the substantia niga

Question 48

what is the function of the Corticospinal tract

Answer 48

Carries information from the cerebral cortex to the spinal cord and controls movement of the torso, upper and lower limbs.

Question 49

what is the function of the apneustic and pneumotaxic centres

Answer 49

work with medulla to maintain respiratory rhythm

Question 50

what is the function of the inferior colliculi

Answer 50

send information to medial geniculate bodies of the thalamus

Question 51

what nuclei are in the pons

Answer 51

- sensory and motor nuclei for trigeminal, abducens, facial and vestibular - raphe nuclei - reticular activating system - apneustic and pneumotaxic centres

Question 52

what autonomic nuclei are in the medulla

Answer 52

cardiovascular centers respiratory rhythmicity centers (receive input from pons) additional: emesis, deglutition

Question 53

what is in the crus cerebri

Answer 53

consists of descending cortical efferent fibres that have left cerebral hemisphere via internal capsule 50% = corticobulbar and corticospinal fibres

Question 54

where do Fibres conveying the special senses of motion, positional sense and hearing terminate

Answer 54

terminate in the vestibular and cochlear nuclei, respectively in the medulla.

Question 55

at what level is the midbrain divided into dorsal and ventral portions

Answer 55

at the level of the cerebral aqueduct.

Question 56

what is in the dorsal portion of the midbrain

Answer 56

which consists largely of the inferior and superior colliculi.

Question 57

what are the Nuclei of the parasympathetic cell column

Answer 57

Erdinger-Westphal nucleus, superior and inferior salivatory nuclei, dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus.

Question 58

where is the brainstem

Answer 58

between the cerebrum and the spinal cord

Question 59

what enters the brain through the trigeminal nerve at the pons

Answer 59

Fibers carrying general sensory information (touch, pressure, pain, temperature) from the head

Question 60

what sensory and motor nuclei are in the medulla

Answer 60

vestibular, glossopharyngeal, vagus, accessory and hypoglossal

Question 61

what is the conscious tract of the sensory pathway composed ofs

Answer 61

the dorsal column-medial lemniscal pathway (posterior column pathway) and the spinothalamic pathway (anterolateral system).

Question 62

what modulates activity at the brainstem and cortical levels (the cerebellum and basal ganglia0

Answer 62

feedback loops involving 2 independent subcortical systems

Question 63

what is the ascending tracts of the sensory pathway

Answer 63

the neural pathways by which sensory information from the peripheral nerves is transmitted to the cerebral cortex. the dorsal column-medial lemniscus system, the spinothalamic system, and the spinocerebellar system.

Question 64

whatis the function of the brain stem

Answer 64

produces automatic behaviours necessary for survival , such as breathing, consciousness, blood pressure, heart rate, and sleep.

Question 65

what is the final common pathway

Answer 65

the lower motor neurons of the spinal cord

Question 66

what is the Corticobulbar tract composed of

Answer 66

upper motor neurons of the cranial nerves