W20/L2: Brainstem

Question 1

What are the main functions of the brainstem?

Answer 1

Reflexive & unconscious behaviour

Modulation of arousal/conscious states

Question 2

What are the 3 parts of the brainstem?

Answer 2

Mid brain
Pons
Medulla oblongata

Question 3

What is visible on the dorsal side of the midbrain?

Answer 3

2 superior colliculi

2 inferior colliculi

Question 4

What is visible on the dorsal side of the pons?

Answer 4

Gap for the 4th ventricle

Facial colliculi

Question 5

What is visible on the dorsal side of the medulla?

Answer 5

Dorsal columns
Nuclei-gracile
Cuneate tubercle

Question 6

What is visible on the ventral side of the midbrain?

Answer 6

Cerebral peduncles

Interpeduncular fossa

Question 7

What is visible on the ventral side of the pons?

Answer 7

Cerebellar peduncles

Question 8

What is visible on the ventral side of the medulla?

Answer 8

Inferior olivary nuclei

Pyramidal decusstion

Question 9

Which is the only CN to exit on the dorsal surface?

Answer 9

CN IV

Trochlear

Question 10

Which cranial nerves are exclusively motor?

Answer 10

3, 4, 6, 11, 12

Occulomotor, trochlear, abducens, accessory, hypoglossal

Question 11

Which cranial nerves are exclusively sensory?

Answer 11

1, 2, 8

Olfactory, optic, vestibulocochlear (all the special senses)

Question 12

Which cranial nerves are mixed?

Answer 12

5, 7, 9, 10

Trigeminal, facial, glosopharangual, vagus

Question 13

Mnemonic for sensory, motor and mixed (both) cranial nerves?

Answer 13

Some say marry money but my brother says big boobs matter more

Question 14

The cerebellum is joined to the brainstem by how many peduncles?

Answer 14

3 pairs

Superior, middle, inferior

Question 15

Which cerebellar peduncle joins the midbrain?

Answer 15

Superior

Question 16

Which cerebellar peduncle joins the pons?

Answer 16

Middle

Question 17

Which cerebellar peduncle joins the medulla?

Answer 17

Inferior

Question 18

Which is the largest cerebellar peduncle?

Answer 18

Middle

Question 19

What is medial to the cerebellar peduncles?

Answer 19

The 4th ventricle

Question 20

How many cerebral peduncles are there?

Answer 20

1 pair

Question 21

Which nerves emerge from the ponto-medullary junction?

Answer 21

6, 7, 8

Question 22

What’s the tectum & what does it consist of?

Answer 22

The part of the midbrain dorsal to the cerebral aqueduct

Includes the 2 pairs of colliculi

Question 23

What’s the open medulla?

Answer 23

The rostral part of the medulla - which has the 4th ventricle dorsally

Question 24

What’s the closed medulla?

Answer 24

The caudal part of the medulla, which has dorsal column nuclei and no venrticle.

Question 25

Name the 2 CNs that come from the midbrain

Answer 25

3 & 4

Occulomotor & trochlear

Question 26

Which cranial nerve emerges from the interpeduncular fossa?

Answer 26

3

Occulomotor

Question 27

Where does the 4th CN emerg from?

Answer 27

Just below the inferior colliculus on the dorsal side of the midbrain

Question 28

Which nerves have their roots in the pons?

Answer 28

5, 6, 7, 8

Trigeminal, Abducens, Facial, Vestibulocochlear

Question 29

Which CN emerges from between the pyramid and the olive?

Answer 29

12

Hypoglossal

Question 30

Where’s the tegmentum?

Answer 30

In the middle of the brainstem - butting up against the 4th ventricle/cerebral aquaduct

Question 31

What is contained in the tegmentum?

Answer 31

All the CNs, most of the reticular formation, and the major ascending tracts.