Brainstem part 2 Flashcards

1
Q

what are the signs of damage of the midbrain

A
  • eye deviates down and out
  • loss of pupillary accommodation refflex
  • diplopia, lateral deviation of the eye
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2
Q

what does the midbrain do

A
  • visual and auditory reflex centres
  • CN III IV, nuclei
  • subcortical motor centres - red nuclei and substantial nigra
  • reticular formation functions
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3
Q

what is the visual centre

A

superior colliculi

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4
Q

what is the auditory centre

A

inferior colliculi

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5
Q

what does the red nuclei do

A

facilitate flexors of arms mainly

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6
Q

describe reticular formation functions

A

arousal
mood and drive (ventral tegmental area)
also periaqueductal grey is important in autonomic control and response to stressors (including descending inhibition of pain)

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7
Q

what is the midbrain made out of

A
  • corticospinal tract
  • medial leminiscus
  • reticular formation
  • spinothalamic tract
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8
Q

what are the signs of damage of the pons

A
  • facial anaesthesia
  • weakens of mastication
  • medial eye deviation
  • paralysis of facial nerve mscules
  • lost of taste
  • dry mouth
  • vertigo
  • loss of hearing
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9
Q

what is the function of the pons

A
  • CN V, VI, VII, VIII nuclei
  • Pontine gaze centre with MLF/ mVST spanning brainstem allow conjugate eye and coordinate head movements
  • Cerebral relays to the cerebellum (pontine nuclei); vestibulospinal tract- axial muscle adjustment for balance and posture, extensor facilitation
  • Micturition centre; pontine respiratory centres act with medullary centres to regulate rate and depth of respiration
  • Reticular formation function - sensory filter; arousal; motor –medial reticulospinal tract
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10
Q

what is in the pons

A
  • corticospinal and corticopotine tracts
  • reticular formation
  • medial leminiscus
  • spinothalamic tract
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11
Q

what are the symptoms if you have damage to the medulla

A
  • loss of pain sensation
  • vertigo, loss of hearting
  • loss of taste
  • loss of gag reflex
  • dysphagia and hoarseness of voice
  • tachycardia
  • loss of taste
  • loss of cough reflex
  • atrophy of tongue muscles,
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12
Q

what is the function of the medulla

A
  • CN IX-XII nuclei (also VIII and spinal n. V)
  • Visceral nuclei for control of heart rate, blood vessel diameter, respiration, vomiting, coughing…
  • Relay of sensorimotor information to cerebellum via inferior olivary nuclei
  • 2nd order neurons of the dorsal column medial lemniscal system & sensory decussation
  • Decussation of the pyramids (= motor– corticospinal tract)
  • Reticular formation functions… sensory filter; arousal; motor – lateral reticulospinal tract
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13
Q

what two parts of the medulla are there

A

rostral and caudal

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14
Q

what does the rostral medulla contain

A
  • spinal nucleus V
  • dorsal motor nucleus
  • hyperglossal nucleus
  • NTS
  • nucleus ambiguous
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15
Q

what does the caudal medulla contain

A
  • corticospinal tract
  • medial leminsicus
  • reticular formation
  • spinothalamic tract
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16
Q

what is the medial blood supply to the medulla, pons and midbrain

A

medulla - vertebral arteries and spinal branches

pons/midbrain - basilar arteries

17
Q

what is the lateral bloody supply to the rostral medulla, pons, midbrain

A

Rostral medulla - PICA
pons - AICA
Midbrain - SCA
- posterior cerebral also supplies lateral aspects of the midbrain

18
Q

what does damage to the brainstem result in

A

Damage to the brainstem results in whole body sensorimotor dysfunction accompanied by abnormalities in cranial nerve function.

19
Q

how can brainstem disorders be simplified into two questions

A

Is it LATERAL or MEDIAL?

What is the LEVEL of the LESION?

20
Q

what are the common unilateral medial lesions

A

medulla
- Common symptoms + CN XII damage leads to ipsilateral weakness & wasting of the tongue muscles

pons

  • Common symptoms + CN VI damage leads to medial deviation of the eye (adduction paralysis)
  • Pontine RF (gaze center) leads to ipsilateral gaze paralysis

Midbrain

  • Common symptoms + CN III damage leads to ophthalmoplegia
  • Red Nucleus damage leads to contralateral cerebellar ataxia
21
Q

what are the common symptoms of unilateral lesions in the brain

A

medulla

  • Dysarthria, dysphagia, hoarseness, ipsilateral vocal cord paralysis (CN IX, X)
  • Ipsilateral loss of gag reflex (CN IX &X)
  • Loss of taste sensation (CN IX).

Pons

  • Deafness or tinnitis (CN VIII).
  • Loss of taste sensation, Complete ipsilateral facial muscle paralysis, can’t shut eyes, impaired salivation/ lacrimation, and hyperacuisis (all CN VII)
  • Jaw deviation during opening (Vmo- rostral pons)

midbrain

  • Contralateral hemi-anaesthesia (loss of sensation- ascending sensory tracts now are laterally positioned)
  • Intention tremor - superior cerebellar peduncle fibres
22
Q

what can cause a raise in intracranial pressure

A
  1. Haemorrhage
  2. Tumour
  3. Swelling of brain
  4. Berry Aneurysm
23
Q

what are the symptoms of raised intracranial pressure

A
  • headache
  • nausea
  • vomitting
  • bouts of unconsciousness due to pressure on the brainstem
24
Q

what are the types of brain tissue herniation

A

Subfalcine
Uncal
Tonsillar