Module 12 - Parts of brainstem/cerebellum

Pyramids

Anterior white matter in medulla oblongata
Carries info down spinal cord
Transmits somatic motor info
Crosses over in X shape - Decussations of pyramid - Causes left brain to control right and vise versa

Olives

Bilateral
Concentration of nucleus
Relays info from muscles/joints to cerebellum
Synapses with cerebellum
Involved in sound perception

Hypoglossal nucleus

Involved with tongue movement
Collection of nucleus

Medulla Oblongata

Center for vital reflexes - BP, heart rate
Transmits ascending/descending impulses between brain and spinal cord
Contains nuclei of cranial nerves - 5,7,9,10,11,12

Pons

Contains ascending/descending nerve tracts
Contains sleep center specifically for rem sleep
Controls respiration with MO
Posterior side contains cranial nerves 5,6,7,8

Pontine nuclei

Anterior pons area
Communication between cerebrum and cerebellum

Midbrain

Audio and visual reflexes
Nerves 3,4,5
Contains tectum

Tectum

Mounds of gray matter
Contains 4 colliculi - 2 superior 2 inferior

Superior colliculi

2 of them
Involved in visual reflex
Muscles of eye (Both intrinsic and extrinsic)
Uses info like sound/touch to control where eyes go

Inferior colliculi

Involved with auditory reflexes
2 of them
Body “jumps” when startled

Peduncles

Nerve tracts that connects cerebellum to brainstem
3 parts - superior,middle,inferior
Nerve tracts

Superior cerebellar peduncle

Info from midbrain to cerebellum

Inferior cerebellar peduncle

Medulla Oblongata to cerebellum

Middle cerebellar peduncle

Info from pons to cerebellum

Reticular formation

Group of nuclei through brain stem - cloud like
Controls sleep wake cycle
Controls cyclic activities (Activities that repeat patterns)

Arbor vitae

White matter in cerebellum
Resembles tree

Folia

Gray matter of cerebellum
Surface folds

Cerebellar (Lateral) hemisphere

2 hemispheres of cerebellum
Divided into anterior/posterior lobe
Controls fine motor coordination along with vermis
Involved in planning/practicing/learning

Primary fissure

Seperates lobes of cerebellum

Vermis

Divides 2 hemispheres
Anterior controls gross (Big) motor coordination
Posterior controls fine (small) motor coordination

Flocculonodular lobe

Just outside hemispheres
Involved in balance