Opt 113 final: brainstem (overview, medulla oblongata)

what does the brainstem contain (generally)

reflex centers and cranial nerve nuclei

what does the brainstem do

connect tracts between the spinal cord, diencephalon, and cerebrum

what reflex centers are found in the brainstem

respiration, cardiovascular control, consciousness

what cranial nerve nuclei are found in the brainstem

3-12

what is the brainstem divided into

medulla oblongata, pons, midbrain

what is the other name for medulla oblongata

myelencephalon

what is the other name for the pons

metencephalon

what is the other name for the midbrain

mesencephalon

what forms the border of the medulla oblongata

spinal cord and pons

what is found down the middle of the anterior surface of the medulla

midsagittal anterior median fissure

what does the midsagittal anterior median fissure divide

pyramids

what do the pyramids contain

white matter motor/efferent tracts

what white matter motor tracts are found in the pyramids

corticospinal and corticobulbar

what occurs at the inferior/caudal end of the medulla

decussation of the pyramids

what is found on the superior lateral surface of the medulla

olives

what are the olives of the medulla

two bumps on the lateral medulla

where are the olives

lateral to the medulla

what is found on the dorsal most part of the medulla

medullary tegmentum

what is the medullary tegmentum continuous with

rostral pontine tegmentum

what is found within the medullary tegmentum

cranial nerve nuclei, reticular formation nuclei, other nuclei, white matter of sensory spinal tracts

the superior posterior medulla makes up what

part of the 4th ventricle floor

what projection is formed by the vagal cranial nerve nuclei in the medulla

vagal triangle

what projection is formed by the hypoglossal nerve nuclei in the medulla

hypoglossal triangle

what is found in the middle of the posterior surface of the medulla

posterior median sulcus

what does the posterior median sulcus separate

gracile tubercles

what are found lateral to the gracile tubercles

cuneate tubercles

where are the gracile nuclei found

in the gracile tubercles

where are the cuneate nuclei found

in the cuneate tubercles

what afferent information enters the gracile/cuneate nuclei

touch sensation from the spinal cord

how does touch enter the gracile/cuneate nuclei

though the gracile/cuneate funiculi

the gracile/cuneate funiculi are part of what

afferent posterior column medial lemniscal pathway

what olivary nuclei are present in the posterior medulla

inferior, dorsal, medial accessory

what are the olivary nuclei of the posterior medulla involved with

voluntary movement (motor cordination)

where do olivary nuclei of the posterior medulla send information

decussating fibers to the cerebellum

what 5 nuclei are found in the posterior medulla

nucleus ambiguous, solitary tract nucleus, dorsal nucleus of the vagus, hypoglossal nucleus, vestibulocnuclear complex

what cranial nerves are associated with the nucleus ambiguous

9, 10, 11

what function is associated with the nucleus ambiguous

controls muscles of the throat

what cranial nerves are found in the solitary tract nucleus

7, 9, 10

what afferent information is received by the solitary tract nucleus

visceral sensation and taste

cranial nerve 7, 9, 10 make up what

solitary tract

what cranial nerves are associated with the dorsal nucleus of the vagus

10

what function does the dorsal nucleus of the vagus have

controls parasympathetic functions of the vagus

what cranial nerves are associated with the hypoglossal nucleus

12

what cranial nerves are associated with the vestibulonuclear complex

8