lecture 7 - brainstem

brainstem consist of

midbrain ( mesencephalon) , pons (mesencephalon) , medulla (myelencephalon)

common features of brainstem include

a. reticular formation

b. sensory tracts such as medial lemnisucs

c. motor tracts such as corticospinal tract

d. cranial nerve functions

e. all of above

e. all of above

corpora quadrigemina

superior and inferior colliculi

Pons role

sensory/motor processing; breathing

which structures on posterior (dorsal ) side of brainstem are landmarks of mesencephalon

a. pineal body

b. cerebral peduncles

c. corpora qudrigemina

d. cerebellum

c. corpora qudrigemina

which structures are NOT found on ventral side of brainstem

a. cerebral peduncles

b. inferior olives

c. tegmentum

d. pyramids

c. tegmentum

midbrain role

1. special & somatic sensory = auditory (inferior colliculus) & pain control (periaqueductal gray)

2. somatic motor = voluntary movement &/or postural reflexes - red nucleus , substantia nigra, cerebral peduncles

3. visual motor reflexes (superior colliculus) = fast eye movements & head-eye coordination, cranial nerves 3 (oculomotor) , lV (trochlear)

4. reward system = ventral tegmental area

what structure in mesencephalon functions in pain control

a. red nucleus

b. superior colliculus

c. substantia nigra

d. periaqueductal gray

e. inferior colliculus

d. periaqueductal gray

crus cerebri contains

motor fibers from motor cortex that project to rest of brainstem & spinal cord (corticospinal & corticobulbar tracts)

crus cerebri is part of cerebral peduncles in midbrain tectum

true or false

FALSE

nigrostriata pathway

originates in substantia nigra & travels basal ganglia : motor & reward functions

meso-cortico-limbic pathway

ventral tegmental area (VTA) contains dopaminergic cell bodies that send signals throughout brain incl prefrontal area & cerebellum & regulate experience of reward & pleasure

cerebellum function

coordination of voluntary movements and balance ; maintenance of balance & muscle tone

what function is NOT associated w/ pons

a. somatosensory processing from face

b. motor control

c. breathing

d. language comprehension

d. language comprehension

which structure(s) is (are) found in pons

a. reticular formation

b. floor of 4th ventricle

c. ponotocerebellar tract

d. nuclei of cranial nerve V

e. all of above

e. all of above

what function is NOT associated w/ medulla

a. respiratory control

b. auditory & vestibular processing

c. swallowing

d. blood pressure regulation

e. control of eye movement

e. control of eye movement

medulla function

somatosensory/motor processing, cardiovascular control, breathing; other reflex centers

which of following medullary functions is incorrectly matched to medullary structure?

a. sensory-corticospinal (pyramidal) tract

b. sensory-dorsal column nuclei

c. sensory-medial lemniscus

d. motor-inferior cerebellar peduncle

e. visceral control centers - reticular formation

a. sensory-corticospinal (pyramidal) tract