Brainstem and Cranial Nuclei Flashcards

(33 cards)

1
Q

what are the three functions of the brainstem

A
  1. A Conduit – longitudinal tracts to and from the brain and cerebellum and spinal cord
  2. Cranial nerve functions via brainstem nuclei
  3. And integrative & modulatory functions through the reticulum
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2
Q

what are the boundaries of the brainstem

A
Anterior:
• Clivus
• Nerves & vessels Posterior:
• Cerebellum & attachments
nferiorly:
• Foramen magnum & spinal cord
Superiorly:
• Tentorium cerebelli & diencephalon
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3
Q

Corticospinal descending pathway

A brainstem lesion of the lateral corticospinal tract will produce contralateral UMN signs

A

Carries motor information from the cortex to lower motor neurons in the spinal cord.
• 90% decussate in the medullary pyramids
• 10% remain ipsilateral until bilaterally
innervating LMNs in the spinal cord

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4
Q

Corticobulbar descending pathways.

A brainstem lesion of these tracts will produce effects dependant on where the lesion is
Corticobulbar pathways

A

Carry motor information from the motor cortex to motor nuclei of the brainstem.
• Innervation from this pathway is bilateral with the fibre decussation occurring at the level of the nucleus

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5
Q

Medical lemniscal
pathway

Brainstem lesion of this tract produces contralateral loss of JPS and discriminating touch.

A

carries JPS and mechanical information (discriminating touch vibration & pressure etc) from the dorsal columns
• Pathway decussates after the gracile/cuneate nuclei and ascends medially to the thalamus
• Pathway terminates in the sensory cortex

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6
Q

Spinal lemniscal pathway is

Brainstem lesion of this tract produces a
contralateral loss of pain and temperature sensation.

A

the extension of the spinothalamic tract through the Brainstem, it carries pain and temperature sensation
• Pathway decussates quickly in the spinal cord and ascends laterally to the thalamus
• Pathway terminates in the sensory cortex

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7
Q

Spinocerebellar tract

Brainstem lesion of this tract produces an ipsilateral defect.

A

carries proprioceptive information. Tract ascends ipsilaterally in the lateral portion of the brainstem to the pons, where it enters the brainstem.

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8
Q

where is the reticulum found

A

Found throughout the brainstem, located in the central tegmentum.

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9
Q

what is the reticulum

A

Diffuse network of neurons without detectable nuclei but which work predominantly in groups of neurotransmitter related networks.

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10
Q

what is the reticulum responsible for

A

wide variety of functions, eg regulation of pain sensation, arousal of the cortex and modulation of descending motor output

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11
Q

ranial nerves follow the rule of 4,

A
  • There are 4 cranial nerves in or above the midbrain
  • There are 4 cranial nerves in the Pons
  • There are 4 cranial nerves in the medulla
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12
Q

Oculomotor nucleus (Oculomotor N. 3)

A

Function: control of extraocular eye muscles except superior oblique and lateral rectus

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13
Q

Trochlear nucleus (Trochlear N. 4)

A

Function: control of superior oblique muscle of the eye

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14
Q

Abducens nucleus (Abducens N. 6)

A

Function: control of lateral rectus muscle of the eye

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15
Q

Hypoglossal nucleus (Hypoglossal N. 12)

A

Function: control of tongue muscles

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16
Q

Trigeminal motor nucleus (Trigeminal N. 5)

A

unction: Controls muscles of mastication

17
Q

Facial nucleus (Facial N. 7)

A

Function: control of muscles of facial expression (NB ventral to the Vestibulocochlear nucleus)

18
Q

Nucleus ambiguus

A

function: Motor to pharynx and larynx

19
Q

Accessory nucleus

A

function: Motor to sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles

20
Q

chewing

21
Q

grimace

22
Q

swallow

23
Q

speak

24
Q

shrug

25
Edinger-Westphal nucleus (Occulomotor N. 3)
Function: control of pupillary constriction and lens accommodation
26
Superior Salivatory nucleus (Facial N. 7)
Function: control of lacrimal sublingual and submandibular glands, salivary glands (Facial N. 7 & Glossopharyngeal N. 9) NB Nucleus Ambiguus also supplies N. 9
27
Inferior Salivatory nucleus (Glossopharyngeal N. 9)
Function: control of parotid gland
28
Dorsal motor nucleus of the Vagus (Vagus N. 10)
Function: secretomotor to lungs and gut; control of heart rate
29
Trigeminal mesencephalic – somatic sensory
Function: Proprioception from the mouth
30
``` Trigeminal pontine (principal) – somatic sensory nucleus (Trigeminal N. 5) ```
Function: Discriminating touch from face
31
Vestibulocochlear nucleus (Occulomotor N. 8) - Special sensory
Function: Balance and hearing
32
Solitary nucleus - Visceral sensory
Function: Taste (Facial N. 7, Glossopharyngeal N. 9, Vagus N. 10), carotid baroceptors (Glossopharyngeal N. 9) & visceral afferent from pharynx, larynx lungs, gut (Vagus N. 10)
33
Trigeminal spinal nucleus (Trigeminal N. 5) – somatic sensory
Function: pain and temperature sensation from face, back of tongue, pharynx larynx and ear