Brain Stem

Question 1

How is motor information carried from the primary motor cortex through the brainstem?

Answer 1

Midbrain: In the ventral Crus Cerebri
Pons: In the Pontine nuclei which are amongst the pars basilaris (containing cranial nerve nuclei)
Medulla: Pyramids, where pyramidal tracts are found and the neurons decussate

Question 2

How is pain and temperature information travel up the brainstem?

Answer 2

Through the tegmentum of all three sections.

Question 3

How is touch and pressure conveyed in the brainstem?

Answer 3

Touch and pressure fibres terminate in gracile and cuneate nuclei in the posterior medulla, then from there travel up the tegmentum in all sections.

Question 4

What structure is located in the midbrain?

Answer 4

The substantia nigra, which contains dopamine producing cells which communicate with the basal ganglia

Question 5

What are the corpora quadrigemina and what do they do?

Answer 5

Superior colliculi- visual attention

Inferior colliculi- auditory attention

Question 6

What are the three structures found in the posterior part of the pons behind the tegmentum?

Answer 6

The three cerebellar peduncles which communicate with the cerebellum