Topography of the brain

Question 1

Name the 3 parts of the brainstem

Answer 1

midbrain, pons and medulla

Question 2

What is connected to the brain via the brainstem?

Answer 2

cerebellum

Question 3

What cranial nerves emerge from the brainstem?

Answer 3

3-12

Question 4

3 functions of the brainstem

Answer 4

pathway for tracts running between higher and lower centres
brainstem nuclei involved with 10 out of 12 cranial nerves
Centres produce rigidly programmed autonomic behaviours

Question 5

What cavity is the medulla in relation to?

Answer 5

4th ventricle

Question 6

After the foramen magnum what does the medulla continue as?

Answer 6

spinal cord

Question 7

What are the pyramids?

Answer 7

midline swellings which are caused by white matter motor tracts from the motor complex

Question 8

What peduncle connects the cerebellum to the medulla?

Answer 8

inferior cerebellar peduncle

Question 9

Where are the superior and middle cerebellar peduncle in relation to the inferior peduncle?

Answer 9

middle - lateral and biggest

inferior and superior on the inside with superior above and inferior below

Question 10

cranial nerves emerging from the medulla

Answer 10

9-12

Question 11

What part of the medulla is open and closed?

Answer 11

open cranial and closed caudal

Question 12

pons peduncle

Answer 12

middle

Question 13

cranial nerves emerging from ventral surface of pons

Answer 13

5-8

Question 14

What does the midbrain develop from?

Answer 14

mesencephalon

Question 15

Central cavity of the midbrain

Answer 15

cerebral aqueduct

Question 16

4 midbrain surface features

Answer 16

CN 1-4
superior cerebellar peduncle
cerebral peduncle
superior and inferior colliculus for visual and auditory reflex

Question 17

On which part of the brainstem are the olives found?

Answer 17

medulla

Question 18

What is the dessucation of the pyramids?

Answer 18

where the tracts cross over

Question 19

What is the only cranial nerve to originate posteriorly?

Answer 19

trochlear - CN 4

Question 20

Are cerebellar peduncles formed from grey or white matter?

Answer 20

white

Question 21

Describe the surface findings of the cerebellum (anatomy)

Answer 21

anterior, posterior and flocculonodular lobes 
hemispheres separated by vermis 
tonsils 
sulci and folia
3 cerebellar peduncles

Question 22

ataxia

Answer 22

lack of voluntary co-ordination of muscles

Question 23

2 main functions of cerebellum?

Answer 23

posture maintenance

fine tuning motor activity

Question 24

3 clinical tests for ataxia

Answer 24

finger-nose test
knee-heel test
walking in a straight line

Question 25

3 inputs to cerebellum

Answer 25

proprioceptors - ipsilateral periphery pyramidal tracts - motor intention of the brain vestibular nuclei re balance and posture

Question 26

Cerebellum - what does it calculate?

Answer 26

best way to make smooth co-ordinated movements

Question 27

output of cerebellum

Answer 27

back to cerebrum with what to do - via cerebellar peduncle

Question 28

What ventricle is the diencephalon found and is it a superficial or deep structure?

Answer 28

deep into cerebrum - 3rd ventricle

Question 29

What does the diencephalon develop from?

Answer 29

diencephalic vesicle - from forebrain vesicle

Question 30

Name the paired structures which make up the diencephalon

Answer 30

thalamus, hypothalamus (pituitary gland), epithalamus (pineal gland)

Question 31

What is the function of the thalamus?

Answer 31

sensory relay station

Question 32

What is the thalamus mainly made up of?

Answer 32

group of nuclei - grey matter | anterior medial and lateral

Question 33

What is the lateral group of nuclei of the thalamus responsible for?

Answer 33

processing sensory information

Question 34

How are the thalamus and hypothalamus separated?

Answer 34

by the hypothalamic sulcus

Question 35

What Is the hypothalamus role in homeostasis - a few examples

Answer 35

water balance and thirst sleep cycle temperature endocrine

Question 36

blood supply to the brain - main arteries and how they enter

Answer 36

2 ICA and 2 vertebral | ICA via carotid canal and vertebral via foramen magnum

Question 37

What are the vertebral arteries a branch of?

Answer 37

subclavian arteries

Question 38

ICA branches

Answer 38

ophthalmic, ACA, MCA, P communicating artery

Question 39

What do the 2 vertebral arteries fuse to give and what does this further give off?

Answer 39

basilar artery --> PCA

Question 40

What do the vertebrobasilar system branches supply?

Answer 40

cerebellum and brainstem

Question 41

Circle of willis - how is it protective and where do the problems come in?

Answer 41

anastomoses - occlusion can still receive blood supply | cerebral arteries are end arteries and an occlusion here will result in a stroke

Question 42

What doe each of the cerebral arteries supply?

Answer 42

ACA - medial portion exc. occipital lobe medial - lateral aspect PCA - occipital lobe and inferior aspect

Question 43

Name the venous sinuses you should know

Answer 43

superior and inferior sagittal, lateral, straight, confluence of sinuses, cavernous, inferior and superior petrosal

Question 44

What layers of mater are venous sinuses found between?

Answer 44

dura mater

Question 45

When the dural venous sinuses join where do they drain into?

Answer 45

IJV

Question 46

Where is the cavernous sinus found and what does it drain?

Answer 46

on either side of sella turcica of sphenoid bone | eye venous drainage - ophthalmic veins

Question 47

cavernous sinus relations

Answer 47

ICA, abducens nerve, CN 3,4,1,V2