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47 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What kind of region is the brainstem |
A CNS region |
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Where is the brainstem found? |
In between the spinal chord an cerebrum |
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What is the brainstem continuous with? |
The spinal cord caudally (inferior) The diencephalon rostrally (anteriorly) |
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How many cranial nerves are attached to the brainstem? |
10/12 |
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What are the 3 major functions of the brainstem? |
Cranial nerve functions Integrative functions Conduit functions |
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Explain the cranial nerve function |
Spinal cord-like functions Such as containing the lower motor neurons for the muscles of the head, and receiving sensory information from the head
Special motor and sensory functions Unique to the head e.g. vision, taste, smell, vestibular |
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Explain integrative functions |
Integration of complex functions such as complex motor functions, respiratory and cardiovascular functions, and some regulation of consciousness |
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How is integrative function done? |
Done by a collection of structures called the reticular nuclei, as well as additional large isolated nuclei with special functions |
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Explain conduit functions |
Major pathways connected the spinal cord, cortex and cerebellum cross the brainstem
Many of these pathways have relay stops within the brainstem, which further modulate activity in the pathways |
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What does the brainstem produce? |
Many of the behaviours that are necessary for survival |
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Where can the tectum be found |
In the midbrain |
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What does the tectum contain? |
Superior and inferior colliculi |
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What is the superior colliculus involved in? |
Processing of visual information |
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What is the inferior colliculus involved in? |
Processing of auditory information |
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Where are the cerebral peduncles located? |
Anteriorly, at the midbrain level |
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What do the cerebral peduncles contain? |
Axons from the cerebrum to the brainstem and spinal cord |
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Where do axons in the cerebral peduncles continue into? |
The pons |
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Where will the majority of axons in the cerebral peduncles terminate? |
In the pontine nucleus |
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Where will the axons of the 2nd neurons in the cerebral peduncles do? |
Cross the midline to enter the contralateral cerebellum through the middle cerebellar peduncles |
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What makes up the bulk of the basal pons |
The crossing axons |
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What is the corticospinal tract? |
Fibres from the cerebral peduncles that did not terminate in the basal pons continue to the spinal cord to become the corticospinal tract |
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What are pyramids? |
At the medulla level, the fibres (that formed the corticospinal tract) continue in structures called pyramids |
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What is the pyramidal decussation? |
The fibres (that continued in structures called pyramids) decussate the midline at the pyramidal decussation |
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What are the olives? |
2 oval swelling structures
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Where are the olives located? |
In the rostral medulla, found laterally to the pyramids |
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What are the olives due to? |
Due to major nuclei underneath called olivary bodies |
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What do the olivary bodies do? |
Play a role in the coordination of movement |
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Where is the floor of the 4th ventricle found? |
In the caudal pons and the rostral medulla |
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What mostly creates the roof of the 4th ventricle? |
The cerebellum |
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Where do axons in the spinal fasciculus gracilis and fasciculus cuneatus (dorsal column) continue at...? |
At the dorsal surface of the medulla |
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Where do these primary sensory fibres terminate in? |
The gracilis and cuneatus nuclei where they synapse with the 2° neuron in the pathway |
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What happens to the axons of these 2° neurons? |
They decussate and travel up to the thalamus in a tract called the medial lemniscus |
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Is the medial lemniscus visible externally? |
No |
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What connects the cerebellum to the brainstem? |
3 peduncles: superior, middle and inferior |
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What do the superior, middle and inferior cerebellar peduncles do? |
Connect the midbrain, pons and medulla to the cerebellum |
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What does the midbrain contain? |
The aqueduct |
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What does the pons and top half of the medulla contain? |
The 4th ventricle |
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What does the lower part of the medulla contain? |
The beginning of the central canal |
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What can we distinguish along the ventral posterior axis of the brainstem? |
3 functional areas Tectum Tegmentum Large structures 'appended' to the anterior brainstem |
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Where is the tectum found? |
Posterior to the ventricular space (found only in the midbrain) |
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Where is the tegmentum found? |
Anterior to the ventricular space |
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What does the tegmentum contain? |
Many of the grey matter nuclei found in the brainstem |
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What does the nuclei of the tegmentum contain? |
Lower motor neurons for cranial nerves, 2° sensory neurons recieving input from cranial nerves |
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What does the tegmentum overall control |
Centers controlling reflexive motor activities- cardiac, blood pressure and respiratory functions, reflexes such as vomiting, coughing and sneezing |
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What is the reticular nuclei? |
A collection of neuronal clusters around the core of the brainstem modulating unconscious activities in the brain |
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What does the reticular nuclei do? |
The reticular activating system (RAS) regulates the level of alertness by stimulating the cortex
Filtering of sensory input |
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What are the additional 2 functions of the resticular nuclei? |
Reticulospinal fibres help regulate unconscious motor activities such as posture and balance e.g. leaning down and holding balance
Regulation of pain transmission through the spinal cord e.g.brain has ability to shut down pain in stressful situation |
