NERVOUS SYSTEM

RK. PIUS
GULU COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
The brain stem and reticular formation
• The brain stem is the part of the brain between the spinal cord
and the diencephalon.
• It consists of three structures:
(1) medulla oblongata
(2) pons
(3) Midbrain
• Extending through the brain stem is the reticular formation, a
netlike region of interspersed gray and white matter
Medulla oblangata
• The medulla oblongata is continuous with the superior part of
the spinal cord.
• it forms the inferior part of the brain stem.
• The medulla begins at the foramen magnum and extends to the
inferior border of the pons, a distance of about 3 cm (1.2 in).
Diagram showing medulla oblongata
cont.
• The medulla’s white matter contains all sensory (ascending)
tracts and motor (descending) tracts that extend between the
spinal cord and other parts of the brain.
• Some of the white matter forms bulges on the anterior aspect
of the medulla.
• These protrusions, called the pyramids are formed by the large
corticospinal tracts that pass from the cerebrum to the spinal
cord.
• The corticospinal tracts control voluntary movements of the
limbs and trunk.
Cont.
• Just superior to the junction of the medulla with the spinal cord,
axons in the left pyramid cross to the right side, and axons in the
right pyramid cross to the left side.
• This crossing is called the decussation of pyramids.
• This explains why each side of the brain controls voluntary
movements on the opposite side of the body.
• The medulla also contains several nuclei, cardiovascular center,
(regulates the rate and force of the heartbeat and the diameter
of blood vessels) medullary respiratory center (adjusts the basic
rhythm of breathing)
cont
• Nuclei in the medulla also control reflexes for vomiting, swallowing,
sneezing, coughing, and hiccupping.
• Just lateral to each pyramid is an oval-shaped swelling called an olive.
• Within the olive is the inferior olivary nucleus, which receives input from
the cerebral cortex, red nucleus of the midbrain, and spinal cord.
• Nuclei associated with sensations of touch, pressure, vibration, and
conscious proprioception are located in the posterior part of the
medulla.
• These nuclei are the right and left gracile nucleus and cuneate nucleus.
• The medulla also contains nuclei that are components of sensory
pathways for gustation (taste), audition (hearing), and equilibrium
(balance).
Internal anatomy of medulla oblongata
Cont.
• The medulla contains nuclei associated with the following five
pairs of cranial nerves;
1. Vestibulocochlear (VIII) nerves.
2. Glossopharyngeal (IX) nerves.
3. Vagus (X) nerves.
4. Accessory (XI) nerves (cranial portion).
5. Hypoglossal (XII) nerves.
Function of medulla oblangata
• Contains sensory (ascending) and motor (descending) tracts.
• Has Cardiovascular center which regulates heartbeat and blood vessel
diameter.
• Medullary respiratory center (together with pons) regulates breathing.
• Components of sensory pathways to brain.
• Has nuclei that coordinate vomiting, swallowing, sneezing, coughing,
and hiccupping.
• Contains nuclei of origin for vestibulocochlear (VIII), glossopharyngeal
(IX), vagus (X), accessory (XI), and hypoglossal (XII) nerves.
pons
• The pons ( bridge) lies directly superior to the medulla and anterior to
the cerebellum and is about 2.5 cm (1 in.) long.
• the pons is a bridge that connects parts of the brain with one another.
• These connections are provided by bundles of axons.
• The pons has two major structural components: a ventral region and
a dorsal region.
• The ventral region of the pons forms a large synaptic relay station
consisting of scattered gray centers called the pontine nuclei.
• The dorsal region of the pons is more like the other regions of the
brain stem, the medulla and midbrain.
cont
• The pons also contains nuclei associated with the following four
pairs of cranial nerves;
1. Trigeminal (V) nerves
2. Abducens (VI) nerves.
3. Facial (VII) nerves.
4. Vestibulocochlear (VIII) nerves.
Function of pons
• Contains sensory and motor tracts.
• Pontine nuclei relay nerve impulses from motor areas of
cerebral cortex to cerebellum.
• Contains vestibular nuclei (along with medulla) that are part of
equilibrium pathway to brain.
• Pontine respiratory group (together with the medulla) helps
control breathing.
• Contains nuclei of origin for trigeminal (V), abducens (VI), facial
(VII), and vestibulocochlear (VIII) nerves.
Midbrain.
• The midbrain or mesencephalon extends from the pons to the
diencephalon and is about 2.5 cm (1 in.) long.
• The aqueduct of the midbrain (cerebral aqueduct) passes through
the midbrain.
• Like the medulla and the pons, the midbrain contains both nuclei
and tracts.
• The anterior part of the midbrain contains paired bundles of axons
known as the cerebral peduncles.
• The posterior part of the midbrain, called the tectum, contains
four rounded elevations; two superior colliculi(reflex center for
vision activities) and two inferior colliculi (auditory pathway)
cont
• The midbrain contains several other nuclei, including the left and
right substantia nigra. which are large and darkly pigmented.
• Neurons that release dopamine, extending from the substantia nigra
to the basal nuclei, help control subconscious muscle activities.
• Loss of these neurons is associated with Parkinson’s disease.
• Also present are the left and right red nuclei.
• The midbrain are associated with two pairs of cranial nerves;
1. Oculomotor (III) nerves.
2. Trochlear (IV) nerves.
The midbrain
Transverse section of midbrain
Functions of midbrain
• Contains sensory and motor tracts.
• Has Superior colliculi that coordinate movements of head, eyes,
and trunk in response to visual stimuli.
• Inferior colliculi coordinate movements of head, eyes, and trunk
in response to auditory stimuli.
• Substantia nigra and red nucleus contribute to control of
movement.
• Contains nuclei of origin for oculomotor (III) and trochlear (IV)
nerves.
Reticular formation
• Much of the brain stem consists of small clusters of neuronal
cell bodies (gray matter) interspersed among small bundles of
myelinated axons (white matter).
• Reticular formation is broad region where white matter and gray
matter exhibit a netlike arrangement.
• It extends from the superior part of the spinal cord, throughout
the brain stem, and into the inferior part of the diencephalon.
• . Neurons within the reticular formation have both ascending
(sensory) and descending (motor) functions.
Reticular formation
Cont.
• The ascending portion of the reticular formation is called the
reticular activating system (RAS).
• It consists of sensory axons that project to the cerebral cortex,
both directly and through the thalamus.
• Many sensory stimuli can activate the ascending portion of the
RAS ie visual and auditory stimuli; mental activities; stimuli from
pain, touch, and pressure receptors; except input from receptors
for the sense of smell.
Major function of RAS
• consciousness,
• Arousal from sleep
• maintain attention
• prevents sensory overload
NB: Inactivation of the RAS produces sleep
Thank you for attending………………….