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Brain Stem
Brain Stem
The brain
Medulla oblongata
Ventral surface
Pyramid: contain
pyramidal tract (corticospinal tract) Decussation of pyramid : formed by crossing fibers of
corticospinal tract
Anterolateral sulcus:
rootlets of hypoglossal nerve emerge from it
Retroolivary sulcus:
rootlets of glossopharyngeal, vagus and accessory nerves emerge from it
Medulla oblongata
Dorsal surface
Lower portion
Gracile tubercle:
produced by underlying
gracile
nucleus
Cuneate tubercle:
marks the site of
cuneate nucleus
Obex
Pons
Ventral surface
Pons
Dorsal surface
Midbrain
Ventral surface
Midbrain
Dorsal surface
Superior colliculus constitute centers for visual reflexes Inferior colliculus associated with auditory pathway Brachium of superior colliculi Brachium of inferior colliculi
Fourth ventricle
Central canal fourth ventricle mesencephalic aqueductthird ventricle
Position
Situated ventral to cerebellum, and dorsal to pons and cranial half of medulla
Boundaries
Inferolateral: gracile and cuneate tubercles, inferior cerebellar peduncle Superolateral: superior cerebellar peduncle Lateral recess
Features
Acoustic tubercle
overlying dorsal cochlear nucleus
Facial colliculus:
overlies nucleus of abducent n. and genu of facial nerve
Vagal triangle:
overlies dorsal nucleus of vagus nerve
Roof
Anterior part: formed by superior cerebellar peduncle and superior medullary velum Posterior part: formed by inferior medullary velum and choroid plexus of fourth ventricle Three apertures
Internal structures
Gray matter
Nucleus of oculomotor n.
Nucleus of trochlear n.
Nucleus of abducent n.
Nucleus of hypoglossal n.
Nucleus of facial n.
Nucleus ambiguus
Accessory nucleus
Nucleus ambiguus
Medulla
,.
Accessory nucleus
Medulla medulla
Nucleus
Site
Cranial n.
Function
Medulla
,,
Pons
Cochlear nuclei
Vestibular nuclei
Sense of hearing
Sense of equilibrium
Relay nuclei
Gracile nucleus Cuneate nucleus Inferior olivary nucleus Superior olivery nucleus Pontine nucleus Nucleus of inferior colliculus Gray matter layers of superior colliculus Red nucleus Substantia nigra Pretectal area
Substantia nigra
Pretectal area
Midbrain
Midbrain
White matter
Ascending tracts
Medial lemniscus
Spinal lemniscus
Trigeminal lemniscus
Descending tracts
Corticospinal tract
Reticulospinal tract
Lateral lemniscus
Ascending reticular activating system (ARAS) Motor central and vital centres
Medulla oblongata
Lower part (closed part) Two decussations
Medulla oblongata
Upper part (open part)
Appearance of inferior olivary nuculeus and inferior cerebellar peduncle Enlargement of central canal to form the fourth ventricle floor
Pons
Tegmentum of pons
directed upward continuation of medulla oblongata
Basilar part
contain both longitudinal and transverse fibers intermixed with pontine nuclei
Midbrain
Rectum of midbrain:
includes superior and inferior colliculi
Cerebral peduncle
Tegmentum :
pariatotempopontine tract
lateral one-fifth