W20/L2: Brainstem Flashcards
What are the main functions of the brainstem?
Reflexive & unconscious behaviour
Modulation of arousal/conscious states
What are the 3 parts of the brainstem?
Mid brain
Pons
Medulla oblongata
What is visible on the dorsal side of the midbrain?
2 superior colliculi
2 inferior colliculi
What is visible on the dorsal side of the pons?
Gap for the 4th ventricle
Facial colliculi
What is visible on the dorsal side of the medulla?
Dorsal columns
Nuclei-gracile
Cuneate tubercle
What is visible on the ventral side of the midbrain?
Cerebral peduncles
Interpeduncular fossa
What is visible on the ventral side of the pons?
Cerebellar peduncles
What is visible on the ventral side of the medulla?
Inferior olivary nuclei
Pyramidal decusstion
Which is the only CN to exit on the dorsal surface?
CN IV
Trochlear
Which cranial nerves are exclusively motor?
3, 4, 6, 11, 12
Occulomotor, trochlear, abducens, accessory, hypoglossal
Which cranial nerves are exclusively sensory?
1, 2, 8
Olfactory, optic, vestibulocochlear (all the special senses)
Which cranial nerves are mixed?
5, 7, 9, 10
Trigeminal, facial, glosopharangual, vagus
Mnemonic for sensory, motor and mixed (both) cranial nerves?
Some say marry money but my brother says big boobs matter more
The cerebellum is joined to the brainstem by how many peduncles?
3 pairs
Superior, middle, inferior
Which cerebellar peduncle joins the midbrain?
Superior
Which cerebellar peduncle joins the pons?
Middle
Which cerebellar peduncle joins the medulla?
Inferior
Which is the largest cerebellar peduncle?
Middle
What is medial to the cerebellar peduncles?
The 4th ventricle
How many cerebral peduncles are there?
1 pair
Which nerves emerge from the ponto-medullary junction?
6, 7, 8
What’s the tectum & what does it consist of?
The part of the midbrain dorsal to the cerebral aqueduct
Includes the 2 pairs of colliculi
What’s the open medulla?
The rostral part of the medulla - which has the 4th ventricle dorsally
What’s the closed medulla?
The caudal part of the medulla, which has dorsal column nuclei and no venrticle.
Name the 2 CNs that come from the midbrain
3 & 4
Occulomotor & trochlear
Which cranial nerve emerges from the interpeduncular fossa?
3
Occulomotor
Where does the 4th CN emerg from?
Just below the inferior colliculus on the dorsal side of the midbrain
Which nerves have their roots in the pons?
5, 6, 7, 8
Trigeminal, Abducens, Facial, Vestibulocochlear
Which CN emerges from between the pyramid and the olive?
12
Hypoglossal
Where’s the tegmentum?
In the middle of the brainstem - butting up against the 4th ventricle/cerebral aquaduct
What is contained in the tegmentum?
All the CNs, most of the reticular formation, and the major ascending tracts.
