Exam 2 Flashcards
What are neuromodulators?
alter neurotransmitter release/response of receptors to neurotransmitters
What bone does the brainstem sit on?
clivus
Which cut can you see the mickey mouse on? If mickey mouse right side up on a CT - which is patient’s right?
axial, patient’s right on your left
What area of brainstem does sensory info go through? Is it an ascending or descending tract?
posterior Tegementum brainstem; ascending tracts
What type of output information is sent to the brainstem from the cerebellum?
Vestibular information:
To vestibular nucleus through middle cerebellar peduncle and to red nucleus (then to vestibular nucleus) through superior cerebellar peduncle.
Which cranial nerves exit from the pons?
CNs V through VIII
What are the two areas of the Tectum and their functions?
pretectal area/pretectum (pupillary and accommodative reflexes) and colliculi (inferior - auditory, superior - visual)
What does the basilar/anterior brainstem contain? (which tracts, which nuclei and which axons)
Motor/descending tracts, motor nuclei (substantia nigra, pontine nuclei, inferior olive), pontocerebellar axons
Where is the medial longitudinal fasciculus located?
tegmentum
Which area of the brainstem does the cerebral/sylvian aqueduct run through?
midbrain
Which cranial nerve exits the midbrain dorsally?
CN IV trochlear
Where is the substantia nigra located? What disease process is it involved in?
upper midbrain (basilar?), Parkinson’s
Which area of the brainstem is anterior to the fourth ventricle?
pons
What cranial nerve is responsible for lateral movement of the eye and where does it exit the brainstem?
CN VI abducens; lower pons
What axons form the medulla pyramids? And where do these tracts cross?
coricospinal axons (descending, motor); pyramidal decussation
The olivary nuclei are lateral to the pyramids. Which cranial nerve is between them?
CN XII
What is the most important function of the reticular formation? How does it do this?
consciousness/arousal, ascending reticular activating system
What reticular nuclei produce Dopamine? Acetylcholine? Serotonin? Norepinephrine? Where are they located?
ventral tegmental area VTA (tegmentum of midbrain); pedunculopontine nuclei (caudal midbrain); raphe nuclei (midline brainstem); locus ceruleus and medial reticular area
What two diseases are involved with dopamine problems (both excessive and lack of)?
excess VTA activity - Schizo, decreased dopamine in parkinson’s
Which neurotransmitter do amphetamines and cocaine stimulate the release of?
dopamine
What type of drug inhibits the reuptake of serotonin? What are the two uses of these drugs?
SSRIs ex: prozac, celexa, zoloft; depression and pain control
What are the 4/5 Ds of brainstem disfunction?
Diplopia, Dysphagia, Dysarthria, Dysmetria and also Dizziness if vestibular affected
If there is high ICP and the brainstem slides down the clivus, where does it go?
foramen magnum
What is a rotary nystagmus?
from hemorrhage/brainstem prob affecting oculomotor control; circular eye movement