Vital centers in brainstem — Flashcards

Flashcard 1: Which cranial nerve(s) does the nucleus ambiguus contribute to? _____

Answer: CN IX, X, and XI (cranial portion)

Flashcard 2: Which brainstem nuclei are responsible for mediating the pupillary light reflex?

Answer: Pretectal nuclei

Extra: The pretectal nuclei receive bilateral input from the optic tracts and project to the Edinger-Westphal nuclei (parasympathetic part of CN III), mediating the direct and consensual pupillary light reflexes.

Flashcard 3: The cranial nerves that exit _____ are typically mixed or sensory CNs

Answer: laterally

Extra: Watch associated Bootcamp video [https://app.bootcamp.com/med-school/neurology/videos/brainstem-anatomy?index=3] https://onlinemeded.org/spa/neuroscience/cranial-nerves/acquire?ref=anki

Flashcard 4: Identify the brainstem level based on these features: - Presence of 4th ventricle - Inferior olivary nucleus - Presence of CN IX, X and XII Answer: _____

Answer: Open medulla

Extra: The open medulla (rostral medulla) is characterized by the presence of the 4th ventricle on its posterior surface, the inferior olivary nucleus, and the nuclei for cranial nerves IX, X, and XII.

Flashcard 5: Which cranial nerves (4) are located in the medulla? _____

Answer: IX, X, XI*, and XII

Flashcard 6: The cell bodies of the cuneocerebellar tract are found in the medulla in the _____ nucleus

Answer: external cuneate

Extra:  Watch associated Bootcamp video [https://app.bootcamp.com/med-school/neuroanatomy/videos/spinal-cord-tracts?index=16] https://onlinemeded.org/spa/neurology?ref=anki 

Flashcard 7: paramedian pontine reticular formation (PPRF)

Answer: eyes look away from side of lesion

Flashcard 8: Where is the locus ceruleus located?

Answer: pons

Flashcard 9: Where is the raphe nucleus located?

Answer: pons

Flashcard 10: medial geniculate nucleus (MGN)

Answer: superior olive, inferior colliculus of tectum

Extra: hearing medial = music auditory cortex (temporal lobe)