Structure and Function

Question 0

Abducens nuclei

Answer 0

A nucleus in the dorsal medial part of the caudal pons, near the MLF, whose motor neurons give rise to CN6

Question 1

4th Ventricle

Answer 1

located at dorsal brain stem from mid medulla to pons

Question 2

Brachium Conjunctivum

Answer 2

Sup. Cerebellar peduncle - Connection from cerebellum to midbrain for most cerebellar outputs

Question 3

Brachium Pontis

Answer 3

Middle cerebellar peduncle - Connection from basal pons to cerebellum; it is a relay from cerebral cortex to cerebellum (corticopontine, pontocerebellar)

Question 4

Central Canal

Answer 4

The canal at the center of the spinal cord and caudal medulla, filled with CSF. Connects with the 4th ventricle at the obex of the medulla.

Question 5

Cerebellum

Answer 5

Comprised of cortex and deep nuclei; involved in coordination of voluntary movements and learning motor skills

Question 6

Cerebral aqueduct (Sylvius)

Answer 6

The cerebrospinal fluid path through the midbrain from the 3rd to 4th ventricle

Question 7

Cerebraa peduncle/Crus cerebri

Answer 7

Located ventral midbrain. Comprised of cerebral cortical efferents to brain stem (corticobulbar) and spinal cord (corticospinal)

Question 8

Cochlear Nuclei

Answer 8

Situated on inferior cerebellar peduncle at the ponto-mesencephalic junction. Is the termination of auditory fibers in CN8 and is the first relay nucleas in the auditory pathway

Question 9

Dentate, Interposed, and Fastigeal Nuclei

Answer 9

Lateral to medial, these are the deep cerebellar nuclei. They are for output from the cerebellum

Question 10

Dorsal columns

Answer 10

Collective term for the fasciculus gracilis and cuneatus

Question 11

Dorsal motor nucleaus of the Vagus

Answer 11

Collection of motor neurons for parasympathetic preganglionic fibers in CN10. Rostral part often called inferior salivatory nucleaus and contributes parasympathetics to CN9

Question 12

External/Lateral Cuneate nucleas

Answer 12

Immediately lateral to the nucleas cuneatus and relays proprioceptive information from the upper limbs to the cerebellum

Question 13

Facial Nerve

Answer 13

CN7 has a long course through the caudal pons. Has an internal genu around the abducens nucleus in the floor of the 4th ventricle, leading to a bump in this location

Question 14

Facial Nucleus

Answer 14

Located in caudal pons and s origin of fibers to muscles of CN7

Question 15

Fasciculus Gracilis and Cuneatus

Answer 15

These tracts convey well localized touch, pressure, vibration, and joint position from legs (gracilis) and arms (cuneatus). Collectivley called dorsal columns

Question 16

Hypoglossal nucleus

Answer 16

This is the nucleus in the dorsal medial medulla containing motor neurons for tounge muscles

Question 17

Inferior Cerebellar peduncle

Answer 17

(Resitform body). This is the connection from medulla to cerebellum that conveys fibers from spinal cord and brainstem to cerebellum

Question 18

Inferior Olivary Nucleus

Answer 18

Large nucleus in the ventral lateral medulla that is the origin of cerebellar CLIMBING FIBERS; critical for cerebellar function

Question 19

Internal Arcuate fibers

Answer 19

fibers arising from neurons of the nucleus gracilis and cuneatus, passing ventrally and decussating; a distinctive feature of the caudal to mid medulla

Question 20

Lateral Geniculate Nucleus

Answer 20

Located at caudal thalamus (part of diencephalon). Is the termination of the optic tract and is critical relay in visual pathway.

Question 21

Medial Geniculate Nucleus

Answer 21

Located in caudal part of thalamus and relays auditory information from the inferior colliculus to the auditory cortex.

Question 22

Medial Lemniscus

Answer 22

This tract is a continuation of sensory axons from dorsal column nuclei and pass through the internal arcuate fibers - it relays the dorsal column sensation (well-localized touch, vibration, joint location) rostrally through the brain stem to the thalamus.

Question 23

Medial Longitudinal Fasciculus

Answer 23

A bundle of axons with several ascending and descending tracts. Important in yoking together horizontal eye movements, and is located near the midline ventral to the ventricle system.

Question 24

Medullary pyramid

Answer 24

The finder bundle in the ventral medulla containing CORTICOSPINAL TRACTS, involved in skilled movements of CONTRALATERAL limbs

Question 25

Nucleus solitarius

Answer 25

this is the visceral sensory nucleus for CN10 and CN9. The rostral portion receives taste input (gustatory nucleus)

Question 26

Obex

Answer 26

Location where the central canal opens up to the 4th ventricle

Question 27

Periaqueductal Grey

Answer 27

Nucleus surrounding the cerebral aqueduct that contains endogenous opiate neurons and activates descending pain suppression pathways.

Question 28

Pineal Gland

Answer 28

Located dorsal to midbrain; involved in circadian secretion of meletonin

Question 29

Pontine nuclei/Basal Pons

Answer 29

A bulbous nucleus that forms the ventral part of pons. Is the termination site for corticopontine fibers and the origin for pontocerebellar projections through the middle cerebellar peduncle.

Question 30

Pulvinar

Answer 30

the large posterior portion of the thalamus that forms a bulbous projection

Question 31

Pyramidal Decussation

Answer 31

The crossing site for corticospinal tracts at the caudal end the medullary pyramid. Marks the junction between spinal cord and brain stem.

Question 32

Raphe nuclei

Answer 32

Serotonin containing neurons in the midline of the brain stem

Question 33

Red Nucleus

Answer 33

Large motor nucleus in the midbrain. Is the orgin of the Rubrospinal tract and projections into the inferior olivary nucleus.

Question 34

Spinal nucleus of the trigeminal

Answer 34

A long nucleus of the lateral brain stem that is the termination of trigeminal pain and temperature sensory fibers in the spinal tract of the trigeminal.

Question 35

Spinal tract of the Trigeminal

Answer 35

Collection of trigeminal pain and temperature sensory fibers running caudally through the lateral medulla. These are the first order sensory fibers from the trigeminal nerve

Question 36

Substantia Nigra

Answer 36

Large nucleus in the midbrain that is dorsal to the crus cerebri. The pars compacta is a MAJOR SOURCE OF DOPAMINE to the basal ganglia; it degenerates in parkinsons

Question 37

Superior Colliculus

Answer 37

A nucleus that recieves input from many sensations (esp. vision) and is involved in producing reflex head and eye movements to novel stimuli.

Question 38

Tectum

Answer 38

The portion of the midbrain dorsal to the cerebral aqueduct (comprised of the colliculi)

Question 39

Tegmentum

Answer 39

The term used for the core of the brain stem between the ventricle system dorsally and the motor structures in the ventral part of the stem (the pyramids and inf. olive in the medulla; pontine nuclei in the pons; substantia nigra in the midbrain)

Question 40

Trapezoid body

Answer 40

Crossing fibers in the pons for the AUDITORY pathway

Question 41

Trigeminal nerve

Answer 41

CN5 passsing thru the middle cerebellar peduncle in the mid pons

Question 42

Trigeminal Nuclei

Answer 42

The motor neurons of the jaw muscles, termination of touch an pressure sensitivity fibers from the face

Question 43

Ventral tegmental area

Answer 43

A region of dopaminergic neurons in the midline of the ventral midbrain. THE MAJOR DOPAMINE SOURCE IN THE MESOLIMBIC and MESOCORTICAL REWARD SYSTEM. Major site of ADDICTION research.

Question 44

Vestibular nuclei/complex

Answer 44

Termination of CN8

Question 45

Inferior colliculus

Answer 45

Relay for auditory pathway