Midbrain+and+Hindbrain+-+5-5-2025

Flashcards for exam review.

Substantia nigra

Dopamine production & delivery to the BG (movement, Parkinson's)

Parkinson's Disease

Atrophy of neurons and glia in the substantia nigra (of the midbrain) which produces dopamine

Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA)

Dopamine production & delivery to frontal lobes (executive functions) nucleus accumbens (pleasure) and hippocampus (memory)

Reticular Formation

Levels of alertness

Cerebral Peduncles

Motor tracts that go from the cortex through midbrain on the way to the lower brain structures & the spinal cord

Superior Colliculi

Control of eye movements and orientation of eyes and head toward visual stimuli

Inferior Colliculi

Auditory localization, orientation to auditory stimuli, and startle response to loud sounds

Cerebellum

10% of brain by volume, but 80% of brain neurons

Cerebellar Functions

Coordination, precision, and timing of movement (cerebellar ataxia = drunk-like symptoms)

Gait

Staggering, wide gait

Balance

Falling, wide gait

Intension tremors

As we saw with the disorder known as Essential Tremor

Nystagmus

Involuntary back and forth eye movements

Vestibulo-Optic Reflex (VOR)

Stabilizing vision during head movements

Cerebellum

Areas involved in functions such as abstract thinking, planning, emotion, memory and language.

Cerebellar Functions

Quality control (fine tuning) of movement and cognitive functions

Cerebellum

Constantly reviewing and improving a person's thoughts and decisions

Cerebellar Additional Functions

The cerebellum makes motor and cognitive processes smoother and faster and more accurate.

Physical Bases of ASD

Significantly fewer cerebellar Purkinje cells.

Pons

Motor plan originates in the frontal lobes

Raphe nucleus of the pons

Produces much of the brain’s serotonin

Locus coeruleus of the pons

Produces much of the brain’s norepinephrine

Medulla

Controls Vital Functions

Medulla

Breathing

Medulla

Heart Rate

Medulla

Blood Pressure

Medulla

Vomiting (sneezing, coughing, & swallowing)