Week 2: Pons Structures and Functions

Question 1

Where is the deep pontine nuclei located?

Answer 1

basilar pons

Question 2

What structure is located in the basilar pons?

Answer 2

deep pontine nuclei

Question 3

What is the function of the deep pontine nuclei?

Answer 3

send projections to the cerebellum regarding intended movements of contralateral limbs

Question 4

where are the superior and middle cerebellar peduncles located?

Answer 4

the pontine tegmentum

Question 5

where is the inferior cerebellar peduncles located?

Answer 5

Caudal pontine tegmentum

Question 6

What is the function of the superior cerebellar peduncle?

Answer 6

• afferent and efferent fibers run between the cerebellum and midbrain

Question 7

What is the function of the middle cerebellar peduncle?

Answer 7

afferent fibers ONLY, between cerebellum and pons

Question 8

What is the function of the inferior cerebellar peduncle?

Answer 8

afferent and efferent fibers between cerebellum and medulla

Question 9

Where are the deep cerebellar nuclei located?

Answer 9

caudal pontine tegmentum

Question 10

what is the function of the deep cerebellar nuclei?

Answer 10

primary output target for all information coming out of the cerebellum

Question 11

where is the locus ceruleus?

Answer 11

Rostral pontine tegmentum

Question 12

what is the function of the locus ceruleus?

Answer 12

Major norepinephrine production center of the brain

Question 13

where is the raphe nuclei located?

Answer 13

Rostral pontine tegmentum and caudal midbrain

Question 14

what is the function of the raphe nuclei?

Answer 14

major serotonin production center of the brain

Question 15

where is the superior olivary complex/nuclei located?

Answer 15

caudal pontine tegmentum

Question 16

what is the function of the superior olivary complex/ nuclei?

Answer 16

Contributes to both ascending and descending input for auditory functions

Question 17

where is the trapezoid body located?

Answer 17

caudal pontine tegmentum

Question 18

what is the function of the trapezoid body?

Answer 18

ascending auditory pathway fibers carrying information from the cochlea that decussate before traveling to superior olivary nuclei that is thought to help with localization of sound

Question 19

What structure’s function acts as a major serotonin production center in the brain?

Answer 19

Raphe nuclei

Question 20

What structure has a function as a major norepinephrine production center in the brain?

Answer 20

locus ceruleus

Question 21

what “other important nuclei” that we learned this week are located in the rostral pontine tegmentum?

Answer 21

raphe nuclei and locus ceruleus

Question 22

What structures in the pontine tegmentum are solely located in the caudal pons?

Answer 22

inferior cerebellar peduncles
deep cerebellar nuclei
trapezoid body
superior olivary nuclei
All cranial nerves are located caudally but not all are located rostrally