Brainstem and Cranial Nerves Flashcards
What is the brainstem composed of?
Midbrain, Pons and Medulla Oblongata
What are the dorsal and ventral parts of midbrain and how are they divided?
Dorsal: Tectum
Ventral: Tegmentum (Cerebral Peduncle)
(Divided by the Cerebral Aqueduct)
What is the tectum composed of?
Inferior Colliculi (Auditory) Superior Colliculi (Visual)
What is the cerebral peduncle composed of?
1) Dorsal Tegmentum
2) Ventral Crus Cerebri
(Separated by the Substantia Nigra)
What are the crus cerebri?
White matter bundles emerging from the cerebral hemispheres
What attaches midbrain and cerebellum?
Superior Cerebellar Peduncles
What are the 2 sulci on the pons called?
1) Basilar (Midline Sulcus)
2) Bulbopontine Sulcus (Separates pons from MO)
What are the midline fissures of the medulla called?
1) Anterior Median Fissure (Ventral)
2) Posterior Median Fissure (Dorsal)
Describe what the medullary olive is?
Eminence caused by presence of olivary nucleus underneath (Lateral to Ventrolateral Sulcus)
Where do the extrapyramidal tracts originate?
Brainstem
Which medulla fissure separates the pyramids and olives?
Anterior Median Fissure
What is the role of the olives?
Control of Movement and connected to the Cerebellum
Where do each of Cerebral peduncles connect?
1) Superior: Midbrain and Cerebellum
2) Middle: Pons and Cerebellum
3) Inferior: Medulla and Cerebellum
Overall roles and function of Cerebral Peduncles?
1) Refining motor movements, learning of motor skills and converting proprioceptive information into balance and posture maintenance
2) Important fibre tracts run through as well
Where do the optic nerve neurons bulge?
Lateral Geniculate Nucleus on Thalamus
