D. Brainstem: PONS (Ventral Metencephalon) 1. External Consideration A. Ventral View

D.
Brainstem: PONS (Ventral Metencephalon)

1. External Consideration
a. Ventral View
Basilar Sulcus / Canal
Collateral Eminence
2 Divisions of Pons:
elevated edges
Trigeminal Nerve (CN V)
Level of Trigeminal Nuclei
biggest cranial nerve
Level of Facial/Abucens Nuclei
Auditory-Vestibular (CN VIII)

most lateral nerve
Facial Nerve (CN VII)
Abducens Nerve (CN VI)

exits ventrally, above pyramids
innervates (supplies nerve) lateral
rectus muscle of eyes
Neuroanatomy Made Easy and Understandable
4/e - Liebman (c) 1991 Aspen Publication
Prepared by: GLODY T. REYES, MA,
MBA
D. Brainstem: PONS
b. Dorsal View
2 Structures of
Facial Colliculus:
Median Eminence
bulging gray mass
1. Abducens Nucleus
2. Facial Nerve
Facial Colliculus
bulging gray mass
2 Divisions of
Levels of Pons:

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D.
Brainstem: PONS
1. Internal Consideration
a. Level of Facial /
Abducens Nuclei
Kinds of Corticofugal Fibers:

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1.
CORTICOSPINAL
- cortex SC
2.
CORTICOPONTINE
- cortex pons
3.
CORTICOBULBAR
- cortex bulbar
3
(brain stem)
D.
Brainstem: PONS
b. Level of Trigeminal Nuclei /
Level of Trigeminal Nuclear Complex
Smaller than lower pons

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Descending and Ascending Tracts of the

Brainstem
All descending tracts that terminate in the
spinal cord ( eg, the corticospinal tract)
pass through the brain stem.

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In addition, several descending fiber

systems terminate or originate in the brain
stem. Similarly, all ascending tracts (eg,
the spinothalamic tracts) that reach the
brain stem or the cerebral cortex pass
through part or all of this region; other
ascending tracts originate in the brain
stem.

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The brain stem is, therefore, an

important conduit or relay station for
many longitudinal pathways, both
descending and ascending.

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Almost all the cranial nerve nuclei

are located in the brain stem. (The
exceptions are the first two cranial
nerve nuclei,which are evaginations
of the brain itself.)
Portions of the cranial nerves also
pass through the brain stem.

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Major Ascending and Descending

Pathways in the Brain Stem.
Ascending tract or fibers
Medial lemniscus
Spinothalamic tract
Trigeminal lemniscus
Lateral lemniscus
Reticular system fibers
Medial longitudinal fasciculus
inferior cerebellar peduncle
Superior cerebellar peduncle
Secondary vestibulary fibers
Secondary gustatory fibers

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Descending tract or fibers
Corticospinal tract
Corticonuclear tract
Corticopontine fibers
Rubrospinal tract
Tectospinal tract
Medial longitudinal fasciculus
Vestibulospinal tract
Reticuiospinal tract
Central tegmental tract
Descending tract of nerve V

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Reticular formation - Several of these

areas in the tegmentum of the brain stem
are vitally involved in the control of
respiration; cardiovascular system
functions; and states of consciousness,
sleep, and alertness

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11
Importance of Tegmental Area (Tegmentum):

Area where serotonergic, dopaminergic, adrenergic & noradrenergic neurons
are found
Importance of Pons:
Via pons, through cortico-pontine & ponto-cerebellar fibers, that communication
between cortex & cerebellum is made possible (since there is no direct
connection between cortex & cerebellum)
Why should cortex communicate with cerebellum?

Cerebral cortex can only initiate movement, cerebellum coordinates movement
E.g., doing the action of pointing = cerebrum;
pointing the exact location of something = cerebellum
Damaged cerebellum: uncoordicated / uncontrolled movement
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12
E.
Brainstem: MIDBRAIN (Mesencephalon)

a. Ventral View
Optic Chiasm
Optic Nerve
Optic Tract
MIDBRAIN
Pituitary Stem
Mammillary Body
Trochlear Nerve (CN IV)
only CN that exits dorsally
innervates Superior Oblique
musles of eyes
Cerebellar Peduncle
(Crus Ceribri)
Oculomotor Nerve (CN III)
Interpeduncular Fossa

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13
E.
Brainstem: MIDBRAIN
b. Dorsal View
Superior Colliculus
Visual Reflex Station
MIDBRAIN
Inferior Colliculus
Auditory Relay Station
form the TECTUM or

QUADRIGEMINAL
PLATE
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14
E.
Brainstem: MIDBRAIN
a. Level of Inferior Colliculus
Lower Midbrain

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15

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16
E.
Brainstem: MIDBRAIN
b. Level of Superior Colliculus
Upper Midbrain

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17
Decussating Fibers that go to Spinal Cord:
Rubro-Spinal Fibers
Tectospinal Fibers

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5 Divisions of Crus Ceribri:
Illustration

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19
MACROSCOPIC VIEW
F.
Brain: CEREBELLUM (Dorsal Metencephalon)
One of the secondary brain vesicles

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20
3 Primary Brain Vesicles:

(in the development of a
fetus)
develops into
5 Secondary
gives rise to
Brain Vesicles:

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Brain:
Cerebrum,
Limbic System,
Basal Ganglia,
Olfactory Bulb
Interbrain
Midbrain
Pons,
Cerebellum
Medulla
21
ASSIGNMENT:
E.
Symptoms of Cerebellar Damage
Brain: CEREBELLUM
a. Sagittal View
Cerebellar
Hemisphere
Vermis (Median)
Folia
numerous transverse
(plits-like) folds
singular: Folium

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22
3 Lobes of Cerebellum:
1.
Flocculo-Nodular Lobe (ARCHICEREBELLUM)
2.
Anterior Lobe (PALEOCEREBELLUM)
3.
1st to develop from the developmental viewpoint

Oldest part
Concerned with balance / equilibrium
Concerned with regulation of muscle tone (not flabby but in state
of slight contraction)
High muscle tone = rigidity (i.e., catalepsy)
Low muscle tone = weakening
Posterior Lobe (NEOCEREBELLUM)
Last to develop
Youngest lobe/part of the cerebellum
Concerned with coordination of movement

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23

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24
F.
Brain: CEREBELLUM
a. Outer Layer: Cerebellar Cortex (Gray Matter)
1.
2.
Outer Molecular Layer

Layer of Purkinje Cell
Purkinje Cell
Flask-shaped; characteristic
cell of cerebellum
Chief; neuron is the chief

efferent output (i.e., after
receiving stimulus, output will
be in the Purkinje cell)
3.
Inner Granular Layer

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25
F.
Brain: CEREBELLUM
b. Inner Layer: Corpus Medullare (White
Matter)
With embedded 4 Pairs of Cerebellar

F G ENuclei:
D
b.1. Fastigial

b.2. Globose
b.3. Emboliform
b.4. Dentate
26
MACROSCOPIC VIEW
G.
Brainstem: INTERBRAIN (Diencephalon)
4 Divisions: EPITHALAMUS (dorsally located), THALAMUS

(dorsally located), HYPOTHALAMUS, and SUBTHALAMUS
3rd ventricle is located between 2 thalami, ventral to epithalamus

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27
4 Divisions of the Interbrain:

1. Epithalamus
a. Habenula - area of neurons
b. Stria Medullaris - area of fibers
c. Pineal Gland (Epiphysis) - secretes Melatonin
(high amounts at night, low amounts during the day;
drug, cures insomnia)

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as a
28
2.
Thalamus
Last relay center for all senses, except smell (olfactory bulb)
Screening structure
2 thalami are dorsally located
Schizophrenia: smaller thalamus (cannot screen stimuli that go to
the cortex resulting to incoherent & confused mind)
a. Medial Geniculate Nucleus/Body
Hearing
b. Lateral Geniculate Nucleus/Body
Vision
c. Ventral Postero-Lateral Nucleus (VPL)
Center for Somatosensations of trunk & extremities (position &

movement) including pain & temperature
d. Ventral Postero-Medial Nucleus (VPM)
Center for Somatosensations of head region (face)

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29
THALAMUS

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30
3. Hypothalamus
Below thalamus
Hypothalamic Nucleus =
shallow groove separating
hypothalamus from thalamus
Forms lateral wall of the lower
part of 3rd ventricle
From base (inferior) of brain
view: posterior to optic
chiasma & includes
infundibulum & mammillary
bodies
Functions: temperature
control, sleep, water
metabolism, hormone
secretion, blood pressure
control, hunger, emotional
reactions & maintenance of
Neuroanatomy
Made Easy and Understandable
balance between
sympathetic
& parasympathetic systems
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31
4. Subthalamus
Wedged laterally between thalamus & hypothalamus
Bulk is made up of Subthalamic Nucleus & Zona Inserta (gray
matter) with bundles of fibers
Function: regulates movements produced by skeletal
muscles
Subthalamus
Subthalamic
Nucleus

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32

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33
MACROSCOPIC VIEW
H. Basal Ganglia
Coordinates movement; inhibits movement that could get in

the way of desired movements
Inhibits co-contraction of antagonistic muscles of limbs
Adjusts body position for a certain task
Movement: Basal Ganglia (inhibitory output)
Cerebellum (excitatory output)
Collection of nuclei deep in the white matter of cerebral cortex
Important Terms:
STRIATUM = caudate + putamen + nucleus accumbens
CORPUS STRIATUM = striatum + globus pallidus
LENTICULAR NUCLEUS = putamen + globus pallidus

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34
Doorway to
Basal
Ganglia;
Reciprocally
interconnected
with
substancia
nigra, but send
most output to
globus pallidus
1. Caudate
With Putamen, receives most of input from cerebral cortex

With some regional differences (e.g., medial caudate &
nucleus accumbens receive input from frontal cortex & limbic
areas; thinking and schizophrenia implications)
2. Putamen
With Caudate, receives most of input from cerebral cortex
3. Substancia Nigra
a. Substancia Nigra Pars Compacta (SNpc)
Input from Caudate & Putamen, and sends info back

Produces Dopamine (for normal movement)
b. Substancia Nigra Pars Reticula (SNpr)
Input from Caudate & Putamen, and sends to outside basal

ganglia to control head and eye movements

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35
4. Globus Pallidus
Input from Caudate & Putamen, in communication with Subthalamic Nucleus
a. Globus Pallidus Externa (GPe)

b. Globus Pallidus Interna (GPi)
Sends major inhibitory output from basal ganglia back to thalamus
Sends few projections to midbrain to assist in postural control

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36
MACROSCOPIC VIEW
I. Limbic System (Functional Cerebrum)
Functional grouping, rather than anatomical one

Complex set of structures that lies above & around thalamus, under
the cerebrum
Responsible for emotions, formation of memories, basic survival
systems, and motivation
Links the conscious, intellectual functions of the cerebral cortex with
the unconscious and autonomic functions of the brainstem
1. Hypothalamus
Regulates the autonomic NS system via hormones;

affects & regulates blood pressure, heart rate,
hunger, thirst, sexual arousal, & sleep/wake cycle
2. Hippocampus
Formation of long-term memories
3. Amygdala
Signals cortex of motivationally significant stimuli;

fear & aggression
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37
4. Cingulate Gyrus
Autonomic functions regulating

heart rate & blood pressure as
well as cognitive and attentional
processing
5. Mammillary Bodies
Memory, process olfactory

sensations, and control reflexes
involved with eating, chewing,
licking and swallowing
6. Orbitofrontal Cortex
Decision making
7. Nucleus Accumbens
Reward, pleasure, & addiction

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38

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39

D. Brainstem: PONS (Ventral Metencephalon) 1. External Consideration A. Ventral View

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D. Brainstem: PONS (Ventral Metencephalon) 1. External Consideration A. Ventral View

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D.

Brainstem: PONS (Ventral Metencephalon)

Trigeminal Nerve (CN V)

Level of Trigeminal Nuclei

biggest cranial nerve

Level of Facial/Abucens Nuclei

Auditory-Vestibular (CN VIII)

Facial Nerve (CN VII)

Abducens Nerve (CN VI)

Neuroanatomy Made Easy and Understandable

Kinds of Corticofugal Fibers:

Neuroanatomy Made Easy and Understandable

Smaller than lower pons

Neuroanatomy Made Easy and Understandable

Descending and Ascending Tracts of the

Neuroanatomy Made Easy and Understandable

In addition, several descending fiber

Neuroanatomy Made Easy and Understandable

The brain stem is, therefore, an

Neuroanatomy Made Easy and Understandable

Almost all the cranial nerve nuclei

Neuroanatomy Made Easy and Understandable

Major Ascending and Descending

Neuroanatomy Made Easy and Understandable

Descending tract or fibers

Neuroanatomy Made Easy and Understandable

Reticular formation - Several of these

Neuroanatomy Made Easy and Understandable

Importance of Tegmental Area (Tegmentum):

Why should cortex communicate with cerebellum?

Brainstem: MIDBRAIN (Mesencephalon)

Oculomotor Nerve (CN III)

Neuroanatomy Made Easy and Understandable

form the TECTUM or

Neuroanatomy Made Easy and Understandable

Neuroanatomy Made Easy and Understandable

Neuroanatomy Made Easy and Understandable

Decussating Fibers that go to Spinal Cord:

Neuroanatomy Made Easy and Understandable

5 Divisions of Crus Ceribri:

Neuroanatomy Made Easy and Understandable

Brain: CEREBELLUM (Dorsal Metencephalon)

One of the secondary brain vesicles

Neuroanatomy Made Easy and Understandable

3 Primary Brain Vesicles:

Neuroanatomy Made Easy and Understandable

Symptoms of Cerebellar Damage

Neuroanatomy Made Easy and Understandable

Flocculo-Nodular Lobe (ARCHICEREBELLUM)

Anterior Lobe (PALEOCEREBELLUM)

1st to develop from the developmental viewpoint

Posterior Lobe (NEOCEREBELLUM)

Neuroanatomy Made Easy and Understandable

Neuroanatomy Made Easy and Understandable

Outer Molecular Layer

Chief; neuron is the chief

Inner Granular Layer

With embedded 4 Pairs of Cerebellar

Brainstem: INTERBRAIN (Diencephalon)

4 Divisions: EPITHALAMUS (dorsally located), THALAMUS

Neuroanatomy Made Easy and Understandable

4 Divisions of the Interbrain: