Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Neuro Unit 3 > Intro to Brainstem > Flashcards

Intro to Brainstem Flashcards

1
Q

3 main functions of the brainstem

A

conduit, integrative, cranial nerve home (III-XII)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Classic divisions of the brainstem

A

Midbrain, Pons, Medulla

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Longitudinal divisions of the brainstem

A

from ventral to dorsal –> Basis, tegmentum, Tectum (“roof”)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Medial and lateral divisions of brainstem

A
  • Alar plate (dorsal; sensory)– separated by septum limitans
  • basal plate (ventral)
  • pneumonic: ASsBM
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Conduit function of brainstem

A

transit and processing stations for ascending and descending pathways to and from cerebrum, cerebellum and spinal cord

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Integrative function of brainstem

A
  • “Keeps you alive!”: integrative functions like consciousness, sleep wake cycle, muscle tone, posture, respiratory and CV control
  • found thanks to reticular formation
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Midbrain main distinguishing features

A

cerebral peduncles, interpeduncular fossa

- also see mammillary bodies (above; part of hypothalamus not brainstem)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Medulla features

A
  • Ventral: pyramids (medial), olive (lateral)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Pons features

A

pontine protuberance, middle cerebellar peduncles (laterally)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Dorsal surface features

A
  • Midbrain: superior/inferior colliculi with 3rd ventricle above
  • Pons: superior/middle/inferior cerebrllar peduncle
  • Medulla:
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

tract

A

bundle of axons in CNS

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

nerve

A

bundle of axons in PNS

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Peduncle

A

collection of tracts that travel together from one part of brain to another

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

How many peduncles

A

1- cerebral

3- cerebellar (superior, inferior, middle)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Cerebral Peduncle

A

Information going from cerebrum to spinal cord, pons, and CN nuclei

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Superior Cerebellar Peduncle

A
  • Info from anterior spinocerebellar tract to cerebellum

- mostly info from cerebellum to red nucleus and thalamus (VA/VL)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Inferior Cerebellar Peduncle

A
  • into cerebellum (posterior spinocerebellar tract and olive)
  • Information going back and forth between cerebellum and vestibular nucleus
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Middle Cerebellar Peduncle

A

information from Cerebral cortex–> PONS –> Cerebellum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Major distinguishing feature midbrain

A

Dorsal: sup/inf canaiculi
Ventral: cerebral peduncles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Pons distinguishng features

A

D: cerebellum
V: Pons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Distinguishing features of rostral medulla

A

D: ICP
V: inferior olive, pyramids

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

distinguishing features of caudal medulla

A

D: nucleus cuneatus/gracilis
V: pyramids (and their decussation)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Corticospinal tract

A

Motor; Decussates at base of medulla

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Dorsal Column Medial Lemniscus

A
  • Fine touch/vibration, proprioception

- Decussates mid medulla then becomes medial lemniscus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Anerolateral System (Spinothalamic)
- Pain/temp | - Decussates at level of spinal cord
26
Most long tract lesions in brainstem will be _______ and most cranial nerve signs will be _______ to the lesion
1) contralateral | 2) ipsilateral
27
Cranial Nerve locations
- Midbrain: 3, 4 - Pons: 5, 6, 7, 8 - Medulla 9, 10, 11, 12
28
(LR6SO4)3
all occulomotor muscles innervated by CN III except lateral rectus (6) and superior oblique (4)
29
CN VII
Motor -- muscles of facial expression | Sensory -- taste ant 2/3
30
CN V
Motor: muscles of mastication
31
CN VIII
l
32
CN IX
l
33
CN X
Vagus
34
CN XI
Accessory nerve
35
Location of CN NUCLEI
Midbrain: III, IV, edinger westphal nucleus Pons: V, VI, VII, VIII (cochlear and vestibular nuclei) Medulla: IX, X, XII, spinal nucleus of V (pain/temp)
36
Nuclei of CN V
mesencephalic, primary motor nucleus, main sensory nucleus, spinal nucleus (in pons/medulla?)
37
CN VIII nuclei
cochlear nucleus and vestibuilar nucleus -- both in Pons
38
Superior vs inferior caniculus
Inferior has "capsule"
39
Pupillary light reflex
shining light in one eye will cause pupillary constriction in both eyes
40
Pupillary light reflex
shining light in one eye will cause pupillary constriction in both eyes
41
MLF
midlongitudinal faniculus - coordinates eye movements with head movements - CN nuclei 3, 4, 6, 8 - also involves cerebellum, medial vestibulospinal tract (too coordinate neck muscles too)
42
Vagal Pathways
Dorsal motor nucleus X, Nucleus ambigusou, solitary nucleus
43
Gag reflex
touch wall fo 1 side fo pharynx elicits bilateral gagging response (tests sensory fibers of IX and nucleus ambiguous of X)
44
Jaw Jerk Reflex
Downward tapping of jaw causes bilateral contraction of masseter - Afferent mesencephalic nucleus of V - Efferent = main motor nucleus of V
45
Corneal Blink Reflex
Cornea touched by foreign object --> both eyes blink - Afferent= spinal nucleus of V - Efferent = motor nucleus of VII
46
Which CN get innervation from bilateral UMN
3, 4, 5, 6, upper of 7, Nucleus ambiguous
47
which CN innervation from contralateral UMN
lower of 7, hypoglossal (12)
48
All LMN are ipsilateral onto targets except for which?
CN IV
49
corticospinal tract
carries info from cerebrum to spinal cord
50
corticopontine tract
carries info from cerebrum to pons
51
corticobulbar tract
carries info from cerebrum to cranial nerves
52
Middle cerebellar peduncle
carries information from Cerebral cortex --> Pons --> Cerebellum
53
Inferior cerebellar peduncle
carries info from posterior spinocerebellar tract and inferior olive to cerebellum; carries info between cerebellum and vestibular nucelsu both ways
54
superior cerebellar peduncle
carries info from cerebellum to red nucleus/thalamus; carries info from anterior spinocerebellar tract to cerebellum
55
midline medial motor nuclei
3, 4, 6, 12
56
Dorsal motor nucleus of X
preganglionic parasympathetic vagal neurons to heart and thoracic and abdominal viscera
57
Nucleus ambiguous
motor vagal neurons to muscles of pharynx, larynx (swallowing, phonation, movement of uvula, gagging). Also contains motor fibers to stylopharyngeus muscle which helps in phonation and swallowing but not gagging
58
gag reflex
afferent (IX sensory fibers) | Efferent (X nucleus ambiguous)
59
which CN get bilateral innervation from corticobulbar tract
3, 4, 5, 6, upper of 7, N. ambiguous
60
CN with contralateral UMN innervation from corticobulbar tract
lower of 7, hypoglossal (12) (note 12 has minor ipsilateral contribution but dominated by contralateral)

Neuro Unit 3 (8 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions