Cranial Nerves

List the parts of the brainstem

Midbrain, Pons, Medulla oblongata

Describe the structural characteristics of the Medulla oblongata

Continuous with spinal cord, but different in that grey matter is organized into discrete nuclei

Describe the structural characteristics of the Midbrain

Tectum, Tegmentum

Describe the Tegmentum

Red nuclei, Substantia nigra, Cerebral Peduncles

Red nuclei

unconscious regulation and coordination of motor activities

Substantia nigra

maintaining muscle tone and coordination of movement

Cerebral Peduncles

contain descending tracts from cerebrum

Tectum

four nuclei collectively called the corpora quadrigemina, Two superior colliculi, Two inferior colliculi

superior colliculi

receive visual, auditory, and tactile input

inferior colliculi

receive auditory information

Describe the structural characteristics of the Pons

ascending and descending fiber tracts, Pontine nuclei, Pontine sleep center, Pontine respiratory center

Anatomy of the Cerebellum

Cortex folded in ridges called folia, White matter resembles a tree (arbor vitae), Flocculonodular lobe, Vermis, Lateral hemispheres

Flocculonodular lobe

balance and eye movements

Vermis

posture, locomotion, fine motor coordination leading to smooth, flowing movements

Cerebellum physiology

Regulates and coordinates motor movement

Lateral hemispheres

major portion: works with cerebrum to plan, practice, learn complex movements

Diencephalon, location and components

Located between brainstem and cerebrum, components: thalamus, subthalamus, epithalamus, hypothalamus

Thalamus

Sensory relay center, All sensory information synapses here before projecting to cerebrum
Exception: Olfactory nerve, Also, Motor functions, Mood modification,
Emotion regulation

Subthalamus

Nuclei involved in controlling motor function, Several ascending and descending nerve tracts

Epithalamus

Habenula, Pineal gland

Pineal gland

may be involved in modulation of sleep/wake cycles, Produces hormone melatonin

Habenula

motional and visceral responses to odors