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Neurology > Brainstem > Flashcards

Flashcards in Brainstem Deck (14)
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1
Q

What is the brainstem made up of?

A

Midbrain
Pons
Medulla

Connects the cerebrum to the spinal cord

2
Q

What is the function of the brainstem?

A

Primitive brain

Motor and sensory tracts pass through

Regulation of cardiac and respiratory function.

Regulates the central nervous system
Pivotal in maintaining consciousness and regulating the sleep cycle.

Many basic functions including heart rate, breathing, sleeping, and eating

3
Q

What is found superior, inferior and posterior to the brainstem?

A

Superior: thalamus, internal capsule

Inferior: spinal

Posterior: cerebellum

4
Q

What does the cerebellum do?

A

Motor control

It receives impulses from the motor cortex

It co-ordinates movements making them precise and controls timing of these movements

Also has roles in attention, language and motor learning

5
Q

Each lateral lobe of the cerebellum controls motor movement of the body.

But does it control ipsilateral or contralateral movement?

A

Ipsilateral

6
Q

What are some causes of a cerebellar lesion?

A

MS

Tumours + abscesses

Haemorrhage + infarct caused by a clot

Alcohol use

Paraneoplastic syndrome

7
Q

Clinical features of a cerebellar lesion?

A

Ataxic gait, they lean to the side of the lesion

Intention tremor

Clumsy, rapid alternating movements

Horizontal nystagmus

Dysarthria: difficulty speaking due to problems controlling the muscles used to speak

8
Q

What disorders can affect the brainstem?

A

Tumours

Inflammatory disorders: MS

Metabolic: pontine myelonecrosis

Trauma

Stroke: haemorrhagic or ischaemic

Infection

9
Q

How do problems with the midbrain manifest?

A

Midbrain is responsible for

  • vision, hearing
  • motor control
  • sleep/wake
  • temperature regulation

So problems with these functions

10
Q

How do problems with the pons manifest?

A

Pons is responsible for

  • breathing
  • communication between different parts of the brain
  • hearing, taste, and balance

So problems with these functions

11
Q

How do problems with the medulla present?

A

Medulla is responsible for:

  • breathing
  • heart and blood vessel function
  • digestion
  • sneezing, and swallowing
  • centre for respiration and circulation control

Problems with these function

12
Q

What is the criteria of brainstem death?

A

Pupils unresponsive to light

No corneal reflex

No oculovestibular reflex (cold water into ear causing eye movments

No cough or gag reflex

No response to painful stimuli

No respiratory effort despite withdrawal of ventilation for 5 minutes

13
Q

What is the corneal reflex?

A

Touch the cornea with a piece of cotton wool

The eye should blink

14
Q

What is the caloric vestibular reflex?

A

Put some hot or cold water in the ear

Hot water: eyes should turn towards the contralateral ear with horizontal nystagmus towards the ipsilateral ear

Cold water: eyes should turn towards the ipsilateral ear with horizontal nystagmus towards the contralateral ear