Week 3 Lecture 6: Brainstem and Intro to Cerebellum Flashcards
What is a conduit?
a natural or artificial channel through which something is conveyed e.g fluid
What does the reticular formation control?
- consciousness
- cardiovascular and respiratory functions
- perception of pain
- arousal
- sleep wake cycle
What is the reticular formation?
diffused area of neurones that spans the whole area of brainstem
Which structure in the brain gives rise to cranial nerves 3-12?
brainstem
What are the 3 structures that the brainstem is composed of?
midbrain, pons and medulla oblongata
What structure sits above the midbrain?
diencephalon
What structure is found caudal to the medulla?
spinal cord - at the level of the foramen magnum
What is found dorsal and ventral to the brainstem?
dorsal - clivus of the occipital bone
ventral - cerebellum
Which components of the brainstem run through the ventricular system?
- IVth ventricle - between the pons and medulla anteriorly and the cerebellum posteriorly
- cerebral aqueduct (Caq) - at the level of the midbrain
What is the embryological origin of the structures that make up the brainstem?
mesencephalon (midbrain)
rhombencephalon - metencephalon and myelencephalon (pons and medulla oblongata respectively)
What is the internal structure of the brainstem composed of?
- tectum (most dorsal/ posterior to ventricular system)
- tegmentum (anterior to ventricular system)
- basal area (most ventral)
In locked in syndrome, how is the patient able to breath?
the stroke is at the level of the pons
the tegmentum is unaffected which explains why patients can breath and CVS is intact
What is the junction between the pons and the medulla called?
pontomedullary junction
What structure defines the midline of the medulla and seperates the two pyramids?
anterior median fissure
What are pyramids (in medulla)?
bumps on either side of the anterior median fissure
underneath is white matter fibres coming from the cortex that are sent down the CNS
Where is there crossing over of fibres contained in the medullary pyramids?
decussation of pyramids - this is where fibres from the left and right hemispheres meet so they can instruct the other side of the body
What structure separates the pyramids from the olives?
antero-lateral sulcus
Which cranial nerve fibres do we find at the antero-lateral sulcus?
hypoglossal nerve
Which cranial nerves emerge at the postero-lateral sulcus?
IX (glossopharyngeal), X (vagus), XI (spinal)
What is the rhomboid area/ fossa?
floor of the 4th ventricle