Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

MD216 Sum2 > Reticular formation > Flashcards

Reticular formation Flashcards

(45 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What is the Reticular Formation?

A

An ill-defined diffuse network of neurons signaling via the medulla, pons, and midbrain.

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

What types of neurons surround the Reticular Formation?

A

Motor, sensory, and visceral (autonomic) neurons.

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

What are the characteristics of dendrites in the Reticular Formation?

A

Long, straight, dorsal-ventral.

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

What is the structure of axons in the Reticular Formation?

A

Very long, bifurcated into descending and ascending, with numerous collateral branches.

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

What is the function of the Locus coeruleus?

A

Contains norepinephrine-secreting neurons.

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

What are the three subdivisions of catecholamines?

A
  • Dopamine
  • Norepinephrine
  • Epinephrine
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the precursor for catecholamines?

A

Tyrosine.

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

What are the functions of the Reticular Formation?

A
  • Alertness
  • Sleep process
  • Inhibit pain
  • Regulate muscle tone and movement
  • Regulate vital signs against heart and lung
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the three functional zones of the Reticular Formation?

A
  • Lateral zone
  • Median (raphe) zone
  • Medial zone
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the role of the Ascending Reticular Activating System (ARAS)?

A

Essential for regulating arousal, consciousness, and attention.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

How does the Parvocellular nucleus contribute to ARAS?

A

Processes signals from various sources and releases glutamate.

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

What neurotransmitter does the Pedunculopontine nucleus release?

A

Acetylcholine (Ach)., glutamate, GABA

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

What is the first step in the ARAS process?

A

Sensory input from the lateral zone.

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

What happens in Step 2 of ARAS?

A

Connection to the medial zone (arousal center).

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

What does the medial zone activate in ARAS?

A

The thalamus.

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

What is the final step of ARAS that leads to behavioral arousal?

A

Cortical response and activation of cortical neurons.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q
A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What are the four pathways involved in maintaining alertness?

A
  • Noradrenergic pathway (Locus coeruleus)
  • Serotonergic pathway (Raphe nucleus)
  • Histaminergic pathway (Hypothalamus)
  • Orexin pathway (Hypothalamus)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is the role of the noradrenergic pathway?

Study These Flashcards
A

Sends signals to locus coeruleus to release norepinephrine, maintaining alertness.

20
Q

What is the function of the serotonergic pathway?

Study These Flashcards
A

Parvocellular neurons send signals to the median zone (raphe nucleus), which releases serotonin to promote alertness.

21
Q

What does the histaminergic pathway do?

Study These Flashcards
A

Releases histamine from the tuberomammillary nucleus to promote alertness.

22
Q

What is the role of the orexin pathway?

Study These Flashcards
A

Involved in wakefulness and preventing sudden sleep.

23
Q

What tools are used to assess consciousness?

Study These Flashcards
A
  • Electroencephalogram (EEG)
  • Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)
24
Q

What does a Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) of 8 or below indicate?

Study These Flashcards
A

Severe impairment of consciousness.

25
How does sleep differ from coma?
Sleep is a state of unconsciousness that can be aroused by stimuli; coma is unconsciousness that cannot be aroused.
26
What are the stages of sleep?
* Stage I * Stage II * Stage III * REM sleep (paradoxical sleep)
27
What happens to deep sleep as the night progresses?
Less deep sleep is recurred as the night goes on.
28
What is the nature of sleep?
It is a cyclical phenomenon with initial awake periods, non-rapid eye movement sleep, and rapid eye movement sleep.
29
Fill in the blank: The medial preoptic area and the _______ nucleus are involved in regulating the sleep cycle.
[suprachiasmatic]
30
What is the duration of a typical sleep cycle?
90-100 minutes for non-REM and 10-15 minutes for REM sleep.
31
True or False: Sleep is considered a passive phenomenon.
False
32
What are the characteristics of deep sleep?
Associated with slow wave activity and is restorative.
33
34
What system inhibits pain transmission?
Descending Pain Control System ## Footnote This system is involved in modulating pain signals before they reach the brain.
35
What areas of the brain are involved in regulating muscle tone and movement?
Area 3,1,2 ## Footnote These areas are part of the somatosensory cortex involved in processing sensory information related to muscle control.
36
What are the two types of reticulospinal tracts?
* Medial reticulospinal tract (MRT) * Lateral reticulospinal tract (LRT) ## Footnote These tracts originate from the reticular formation and influence motor control.
37
Where does the medial reticulospinal tract (MRT) originate?
Pons RF (ipsilateral) ## Footnote MRT primarily influences extensor muscles.
38
What is the function of the lateral reticulospinal tract (LRT)?
Modulates flexor muscles ## Footnote LRT also originates from the reticular formation and affects anterior horn cells in the spinal cord.
39
Which part of the brain participates in lateral gaze?
Paramedian pontine reticular formation (DPRF) ## Footnote DPRF is crucial for coordinating eye movements.
40
What is the role of the medullary reticular formation?
Regulation of vital visceral responses ## Footnote It plays a key role in cardiovascular and respiratory centers.
41
What centers are regulated by the medulla and pons reticular formation?
* Cardiovascular center * Respiratory center ## Footnote These centers are essential for maintaining homeostasis in vital functions.
42
What is the connection between the reticular formation and lower motor neurons?
Hippothalamus & Brainstem ## Footnote The reticular formation interacts with these areas to influence motor control.
43
What nucleus is involved in controlling medial eye movements?
Oculomotor nucleus ## Footnote This nucleus works with the paramedian pontine reticular formation.
44
Fill in the blank: The medial reticulospinal tract primarily affects _______.
Extensors
45
True or False: The lateral reticulospinal tract primarily affects extensor muscles.
False ## Footnote The lateral reticulospinal tract primarily modulates flexor muscles.

MD216 Sum2 (14 decks)

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