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Brainstem and cranial nerves Flashcards

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1
Q

How many of the cranial nerves are connected to the brainstem?

A

10 of 12

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2
Q

What are the three parts of the brainstem?

A

Midbrain
Pons
Medulla

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3
Q

What is the crus cerebri?

A

A bundle of fibres that connects the cerebral cortex and the brainstem

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4
Q

What is the middle cerebellar peduncle?

A

A bundle of fibres that connects the cerebellum and brainstem

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5
Q

Where is the inferior colliculus (auditory)?

A

A hillock on the dorsal surface of the midbrain

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6
Q

Where is the superior colliculus (visual)?

A

Posterior surface of brainstem

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7
Q

Where are the olives/inferior olivary nuclei?

A

Latero-ventral surface of the medulla

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8
Q

Where are the pyramids found?

A

Above the olives

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9
Q

Which cranial nerve is the only one to exit on the dorsal side?

A

Trochlear nerve

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10
Q

Where are the superior and inferior peduncles visible?

A

Posterior surface of the brainstem

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11
Q

Where are the mamillary bodies?

A

Belong to hypothalamus (not part of brainstem)

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12
Q

Which cranial nerves are for the special senses?

A

1, 2 and 8

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13
Q

Which cranial nerves do not attach to the brainstem?

A

1 and 2

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14
Q

What is cranial nerve 1?

A

Olfactory tract

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15
Q

What is cranial nerve 2?

A

Optic nerve

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16
Q

Where does the optic nerve become the optic tract?

A

Posterior to the optic chiasm (between optic chiasm and LGN)

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17
Q

Describe the path of light from the lateral visual field to the LGN.

A

Reaches nasal part of retina

Neurons cross in the optic chiasm so they end up synapsing with the LGN on the contralateral side

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18
Q

Describe the path of light from the contralateral visual field to the LGN.

A

Reaches temporal part of retina

Axons do not cross in the optic chiasm so they end up in the ipsilateral LGN

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19
Q

What is the 8th cranial nerve?

A

Vestibulocochlear nerve

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20
Q

What does the vestibulocochlear nerve do?

A

Mediates balance and hearing

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21
Q

Where are the vestibulocochlear nuclei found?

A

Lateral recesses of the 4th ventricle

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22
Q

Which cranial nerves move the eyeball?

A

3, 4 and 6

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23
Q

What is the 3rd cranial nerve?

A

Oculomotor nerve

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24
Q

What is the 4th cranial nerve?

A

Trochlear nerve

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25
What is the 6th cranial nerve?
Abducens nerve
26
Which 2 nuclei does the oculomotor nerve originate from?
Edinger-Westphal nucleus Oculomotor nucleus (Both at level of superior colliculi)
27
Where does the oculomotor nerve exit the brainstem?
At the ventral midbrain between the crus cerebri
28
Why does shining light on one eye effect both?
Each pretectal area projects to both Edinger-Westphal nuclei
29
Which muscle does the trochlear nerve innervate?
Superior oblique muscle
30
Where are the abducens nuclei located?
In the pons (floor of 4th ventricle)
31
Which muscle does the abducens nerve innervate?
Lateral rectus muscle
32
Are the trochlear and abducens nerves motor or sensory?
Both purely motor nerves
33
What is the cerebral aqueduct?
A narrow canal in the centre of the midbrain | Connects the 3rd and 4th ventricles
34
Which nerves exit the neurocranium to go to the eye via the superior orbital fissure?
Abducens Trochlear Oculomotor
35
What are the symptoms of trochlear nerve palsy?
Paralysis of superior oblique | Causes misalignment of the eye
36
What are the symptoms of abducens nerve palsy?
Paralysis of lateral rectus muscle | Inward squint
37
What are the symptoms of oculomotor nerve palsy?
Cross eyed Double vision Eye drooping Pupillary abnormalities
38
What is the 5th cranial nerve?
Trigeminal nerve
39
Is the trochlear nerve sensory or motor?
Mixed - sensory and motor | But larger sensory component (main sensory innervation of face)
40
What are the three portions of the sensory nucleus of the trigeminal nerve?
Mesencephalic Chief Spinal
41
What are the 3 branches of the trigeminal nerve?
Opthalmic Maxillary Mandibular
42
Which fibres synapse onto the chief trigeminal nucleus?
AB (discriminative touch)
43
Which fibres synapse onto the spinal nucleus of the trigeminal nerve?
AD and C (pain and temperature)
44
What is the function of the mesencephalic nucleus of the trigeminal nerve?
Proprioception
45
Where does the maxillary branch of the trigeminal nerve exit?
Foramen rotundum
46
Where does the mandibular branch exit?
Foramen ovale
47
What is the 7th cranial nerve?
Facial nerve
48
What are the three nuclei of the facial nerve?
``` Facial motor nerve (pons) Superior salivary nucleus (pons) Nucleus solitarius (medulla) ```
49
What do the facial motor nucleus efferents innervate?
Muscles of facial expression | Stapedius in inner ear
50
What are the components of the facial nerve?
Sensory Motor Parasympathetics
51
What is the initial exit point of the facial nerve?
Internal auditory meatus
52
What is the 9th cranial nerve?
Glossopharyngeal nerve
53
What is the 10th cranial nerve?
Vagus
54
What are the components of the glossopharyngeal nerve?
Motor Sensory Parasympathetics
55
What is the nucleus ambiguous?
Motor innervation to pharynx, larynx and upper oesophagus | Crucial for swallowing/gag reflex
56
What is the parasympathetic component of the glossopharyngeal nerve responsible for?
Saliva
57
What is the 11th cranial nerve?
Accessory nerve
58
Does vagus have sensory component?
Yes (From pharynx/larynx)
59
What are the components of the accessory nerve?
Purely motor
60
What is the 12th cranial nerve?
Hypoglossal nerve
61
What are the components of the hypoglossal nerve?
Purely motor
62
What does the hypoglossal nerve innervate?
Tongue muscles - important in speech
63
Which nerves mediate taste sensation?
Facial Glossopharyngeal Vagus
64
Which cranial nerve is particular prone to damage because it's thin and long?
Trochlear nerve
65
How do the vestibulocochlear nerve and facial nerve exit the neurocranium?
Internal auditory meatus
66
Which cranial nerves can be compressed by tumours in the medulla?
9th-12th

GBE (15 decks)

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