Clinical Neuroscience Week 3| 101 QUESTIONS| WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS

What makes up the brainstem? correct answer: midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata What is the reticular formation? correct answer: a diffuse network of nerve pathways in the brainstem connecting the spinal cord, cerebrum, and cerebellum, and mediating the overall level of consciousness What is the function of the reticular formation of the brainstem? correct answer: -integrates sensory and cortical information -regulates somatic motor activity and autonomic function -regulates sleep and consciousness -modulates nociceptive information What makes up the reticular nuclei? correct answer: -ventral tegmental area (dopamine) -pedunculopontine nucleus (ACh) -locus coeruleus (norepinephrine) -raphe nuclei (serotonin) Explain how the ascending reticular activating system (ARAS) works correct answer: -ARAS fibers project to thalamic nuclei -fibers from thalamic nucleus project throughout the cortex -regulates sleep/wake cycles, attention while awake What are the descending tracts of the reticular formation? correct answer: -reticulospinal: posture, gross limb movements -ceruleospinal: alertness, physiologic response to stress/pain -raphespinal: sensory, autonomic, motor activities What does the reticulospinal tract do? correct answer: posture, gross limb movements What does the ceruleospinal tract do? correct answer: -autonomic: physiologic response to stress a