Neuroanatomy Brainstem Flashcards

Flashcards about the brainstem, including its external features and cross sections.

What structure is continuous with the spinal cord?

Brainstem

How many true cranial nerve pairs originate in the brainstem?

Ten

Name the three divisions of the brainstem.

Medulla, Pons, Midbrain

List the 10 true cranial nerves.

Oculomotor (III), Trochlear (IV), Trigeminal (V), Abducens (VI), Facial (VII), Vestibulocochlear (VIII), Glossopharyngeal (IX), Vagus (X), Accessory (XI), Hypoglossal (XII)

What happens to the grey matter in the brainstem?

It is broken up into defined nuclei.

What does the central canal expand into within the brainstem?

A ventricle

Is the emergence of nerves regular or irregular compared to the spinal cord?

Less regular

From where to where does the medulla extend?

From the upper rootlet of the first cervical spinal nerve to the pons.

Name the nuclei found in the Medulla.

Glossopharyngeal (IX), Vagus (X), Accessory (XI), Hypoglossal (XII)

What structure connects the right and left cerebral hemispheres?

Pons

Name the nuclei found in the Pons

Trigeminal (V), Abducens (VI), Facial (VII), Vestibulocochlear (VIII)

What part of the brainstem connects the Pons to the Cerebrum?

Midbrain

Name the nuclei found in the Midbrain

Oculomotor (III), Trochlear (IV)

Where is the fourth ventricle located?

Upper Medulla and Pons

What projects into the cavity of the fourth ventricle?

Choroid plexus

Name the cranial nerve associated with Oculomotor nuclei

Oculomotor nerve (III)

What important structure passes through the cerebral aqueduct?

Cerebrospinal fluid

What colored nucleus is important for motor coordination in the midbrain?

Red nucleus

What is the function of the Crus Cerebri?

Contains descending motor tracts from the cerebral cortex

What is the function of the Substantia Nigra?

Motor control and reward

Which nerve passes through the path of the oculomotor nerve?

Occulomotor nerve

What structure does the Central canal lead to?

Fourth Ventricle

What is the function of the Anterior median fissure

Groove along the anterior surface of the medulla oblongata and spinal cord

What is the significance of the Decussation of the pyramids?

Crossing of motor fibers in the medulla oblongata

What is function of the Olive

Involved in motor coordination

What is the function of the Anterolateral Sulcus?

Site of exit for motor nerve roots

What are the Pneumotaxic and Apneustic centers important for?

Control of respiration

What is the Reticular Formation responsible for?

Wakefulness and arousal

Where is the location of the Fourth ventricle

Between pons and medulla oblongata, anterior to cerebellum

How is the Pons described?

Looks like a bridge connecting the right and the left cerebral hemispheres.

What cranial nerve is associated with the Pineal Gland?

None, the pineal gland is not directly associated with a cranial nerve.

What is the function of the Lateral Geniculate Nucleus?

Relay for visual information

What is the function of the Medial Geniculate Nucleus?

Relay for auditory information

What is the Superior Colliculus responsible for?

Visual reflexes

What is the Inferior Colliculus responsible for?

Auditory reflexes

Which nerve is associated with the Superior Cerebellar peduncle?

Trochlear Nerve

What is the function of the Middle Cerebellar Peduncle?

Connects pons to cerebellum

What is the function of the Inferior Cerebellar Peduncle?

Connects medulla and spinal cord to cerebellum

What is the location of the Thalamus

Part of the Diencephalon

What is the Fasciculus Cuneatus?

A bundle of sensory nerve fibers in the spinal cord and medulla oblongata

What is the Fasciculus Gracilis?

A bundle of sensory nerve fibers in the spinal cord and medulla oblongata

What root is associated with the Motor root of the facial nerve?

Facial Nerve

What root is associated with the Sensory root of the facial nerve?

Facial Nerve

Which nerve is associated with the Spinal root of the accessory nerve

Accessory nerve

What is the location of the Crus Cerebri?

Part of the Midbrain