ALHT210 week 2.1 cranial nerves and spinal chord

what are the three main parts of the brainstem    

 midbrain pons medulla

what are some vital functions of the brainstem (3)

• passageway for ascending sensory pathways and descending motor pathways. 

• Contains centers that control essential functions e.g Breathing, Blood circulation

• site for the origination and termination of cranial nerves, which are crucial for head and neck functions. 

describe the cerebral peduncles

Located in the midbrain, these carry corticobulbar fibers related to cranial nerve functions. 

describe the pyramids of the medulla    

Prominent longitudinal columns

associated with corticospinal tract

controls voluntary movements. 

describe the decussation of the pyramids of the medulla     

Refers to the crossing over of fibers, explaining why the left hemisphere controls the right side of the body.

what is the function of the superior an inferior colliculi in the brainstem

• Superior colliculi: Involved in visual processing. 

• Inferior colliculi: Involved in auditory processing. 

describe Fasciculus Cuneatus and Gracilis:

Structures that help transmit sensory information from the spinal cord to the brain

What is the function of olfactory nerve 1

smell

What is the function of optic nerve 2

vision

what is the function of the oculomotor nerve 3

blink eyeballs

what is the funciton of trochlear nerve 4

move eyeball up down left right

what is the function of trigeminal nerve 5

sensation of cheek and face, mastification

what is the funciton of abducense nerve 6

move eye

what is the funciton of the facial nerve 7

taste, facial expression

what is the function of the vestibulocochlear nerve 8

balance + hearing

what is the function of the glossopharyngeal nerve 9

taste and swallowing

what is the funcitons of the vagus nerve 10

swallowing, voice, digestion, sense of pharynx

what is the funciton of the accessory nerve 11

move neck

what is the function of the hyperglossal nerve 12

tongue move

what are the regions of the spine

cervical, throacic, lumbar, sacral, coxxcygeal

what is the funciton of Filum terminale

A thin filament of connective tissue that anchors the spinal cord to the coccyx, stabilizing it and preventing excessive movement.

what is the funciton of Cauda equina

A bundle of lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal nerve roots below the spinal cord. It supplies motor and sensory innervation to the lower limbs and pelvic organs.

• Conus medullaris

tapered end of the spinal cord

marks the transition from the cord to the cauda equina.

what is the funciton of Spinal nerves

Mixed nerves formed by the union of dorsal and ventral roots. They carry both sensory (afferent) and motor (efferent) signals between the body and CNS

what is the function of Dorsal roots

Carry sensory (afferent) information from peripheral receptors into the spinal cord. Contain dorsal root ganglia (cell bodies of sensory neurons).

what is the function of Ventral roots

Carry motor (efferent) signals from the spinal cord to muscles and glands.

what is the function of Ventral horn

Contains motor neurons that send axons out through ventral roots to skeletal muscles (somatic motor function).

what is the function of Dorsal horn

Receives and processes sensory info from dorsal roots.

what is the function of Lateral horn

Present mainly in thoracic and upper lumbar regions; contains autonomic (sympathetic) motor neurons controlling visceral functions. involved in involunatry funcitons

what is the function of the Ventral column

Contains ascending and descending tracts, mainly involved in motor control and some crude sensory processing.

what is the function of Dorsal column

Carries fine touch, vibration, and proprioception to the brain (e.g., gracile and cuneate tracts).

• Lateral column

Contains major ascending (pain, temperature) and descending (motor control, e.g., corticospinal) pathways.