Ch15:BrainandCranialNerves

Discuss the organization of the brain,

including the major structures and their
functions
Describe the meninges of the spinal cord and
brain, and integrate the formation and flow of
CSF with this information.
Describe the structures that constitute the
BBB and their functions

Review the cranial nerves, again giving a

brief function of each.
MajorBrainSubdivisions
Telencephalon (= Cerebrum)
Diencephalon (Thalamus
and hypothalamus)

Mesencephalon
Metencephalon
(Pons and cerebellum)
Brainstem
Myelencephalon (= Medulla
oblongata)
 Gray&WhiteMatterOrganization

In brain stem similar

to spinal cord (nuclei
around ventricles, tracts
on outside)

In cerebrum and
cerebellum: white
matter covered
with layer of neural
cortex (grey)
CranialMeninges 2. Arachnoid - spidery,
holds blood vessels
1. Dura mater - strong, "tough mother"
a. falx cerebri 3. Pia mater - "delicate
b. falx cerebelli mother"
c. tentorum cerebelli
Longitudinal
fissure

Arachnoid granulations: This is where the CSF produced in the choroid

plexuses of the ventricles and which has circulated into the subarachnoid space
is reabsorbed.
FourVentricles
CSF filled chambers
Communicating with central canal of spinal cord

Lined by ependymal cells

CSF: Cerebro-Spinal Fluid
Formation in ventricles by specialized ependymal cells of
choroid plexuses (~500 mL/day; total volume ~ 150 mL)

Functions
transport medium, in
shock absorption
buoyancy (floats the brain)

CSF circulation: Ventricles central canal subarachnoid

space
Fig 15.6
Reabsorption into circulation via arachnoid granulations into
superior sagittal sinus.
 BloodBrainBarrier(BBB)
what is it?

3 areas in brain dont have BBB

1. portion of hypothalamus
2. pineal gland (in diencephalon)
3. choroid plexus
Cerebrum
Two hemispheres
separated by
longitudinal fissure
Gyrus (gyri) separated by sulcus (sulci)

Major lobes named

after overlaying bones
 CerebralHemispheres...
. . have functional regions (motor, sensory
and association areas)

. . . have some functional differences (in

spite of anatomical resemblance)
Lateralization of cortical functioning

. . . receive information and generate

commands for opposite side of body
CerebralCortexandCentralWhiteMatter

Gray surface (cortex) with white tracts internally

Commissures connect corresponding gyri of the two
hemispheres
1) corpus callosum
2) anterior commissure

Projection tracts (fibers) connect more or less

vertically
Association tracts (fibers) connect one gyrus to
another in the same hemisphere
Basal(orcerebral)Nuclei
Misnomer: basal ganglia
Gray matter internal to the cerebral cortex, below
floor of lateral ventricles.
Fig 15.11

Function: modulate motor output from the cerebral

cortex. Subconscious control of skeletal muscle
tone and coordination of learned movement
patterns.
Parkinson's disease is caused by the loss of at least
80% of the dopaminergic neurons in basal nuclei
and substantia nigra (resting tremor)
 Diencephalon
Epithalamus
Pineal gland - produces melatonin,
sets diurnal cycles

Thalamus (~12 nuclei)

Hypothalamus
Just superior to optic chiasma
Infundibulum - connects to pituitary gland
Some functions:
Control of autonomic nervous system
Coordination of nervous and endocrine systems
Secretion of hormones - ADH and oxytocin
 Mesencephalon)
= Midbrain

Corpora quadrigemina = 2 pairs of sensory nuclei

1. Superior colliculi (relay station for visual information)
2. Inferior colliculi (relay station for auditory information

Substantia nigra - regulates motor output

Cerebral peduncles - ascending and descending

tracts to thalamus

Nuclei of ori for CN III and IV

Metencephalon:
Cerebellum

Hemispheres and lobes

Cortex -gray surface

with folia - fine ridges and
sulci - grooves between the ridges

Purkinje cells , axons of which become

arbor vitae (white matter) in center

Regulation of posture and balance

Metencephalon:Pons
Myelencephalon:Medullaoblongata
Mostly ascending and descending tracts

Nuclei of ori for many cranial nerves

Location of autonomic nuclei

involved in respiratory and
cardiovascular control

Relay stations for sensory and

motor neurons
CranialNerves
Twelve pairs:
2 attach to forebrain (Telen- &
Diencephalon)
10 attach to brainstem (Mes-, Met-
and Myelencephalon)

Names relate to appearance or

function

Classification ?
OlfactoryNerve(=CNorNI)

1 function?
Origin?
Destination? _____________(By way of
cribiform plate of ethmoid)
Only CN directly attached to Cerebrum
OpticNerve(NII)
1 fu?
ori?
dest? - by way of
optic foramen
of sphenoid to
Diencephalon
(optic chiasma)
and to
occipital lobe
 Oculomotor(NIII)
C: Motor

O: Mesencephalon

D: Somatic motor to superior, inferior, medial

recti and inferior oblique; visceral motor to
intrinsic eye muscles

by way of superior orbital fissure

 Trochlear(NIV)
C: Motor

O: Mesencephalon

D: superior oblique

by way of superior orbital fissure

 Trigeminal(NV)
C: Mixed
three major branches
1. ophthalmic (sensory)
2. Maxillary (sensory)
3. Mandibular (mixed)

O: face / nuclei of pons

D: sensory nuclei in pons / muscles of mastication

Abducens C: Motor
O: Pons
(CNVI) D: Runs lateral rectus eye muscle
 Facial(NVII)
C: Mixed

O: sensory from taste receptors of

anterior 2/3 of tongue / motor from pons

D: Sensory to sensory nuclei of pons /

motor muscles of facial expression,
visceral motor to tear gland.
 C
O ?
Vestibulocochlear(NVIII) D
Glossopharyngeal (CN IX)
C: mixed

O: sensory from
posterior 1/3 of
tongue / motor from
medulla oblongata

D: medulla /
muscles for
swallowing, parotid
gland
 Vagus(NX)
C: Mixed

O: Sensation from pharyngeal area and

outer ear / motor from medulla

D: Sensory to medulla / visceral motor

to thoracic and abdominal cavities
and their organs. Major motor
pathway for ANS
Accessory(NXI)and
C: Motor
O: Motor nuclei of medulla and spinal cord
D: Swallowing, trapezius & scm muscles

Hypoglossal (N XII)
C: Motor
O: Motor nuclei of medulla
D: Tongue musculature
 Mnemonic

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