Brainstem Anatomy and Functions

The brainstem is a vital part of the brain that connects the spinal cord to the cerebrum. It's responsible for essential functions like breathing, heart rate, and sleep.

The medulla oblongata is the lowest part of the brainstem. It controls vital functions like breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.

The pons acts as a relay center between the cerebrum and the cerebellum. It also plays a role in sleep and breathing.

The midbrain is the uppermost part of the brainstem. It controls movement, hearing, and vision.

The pyramids are structures on the anterior surface of the medulla oblongata. They contain nerve fibers that control voluntary movements.

The olives are structures on the anterior surface of the medulla oblongata. They are involved in coordinating movement and learning.

The tuberculum gracilis and tuberculum cuneatus are two bulges on the posterior surface of the medulla oblongata. They receive sensory information from the body.

The rhomboid fossa is a diamond-shaped depression on the posterior surface of the brainstem. It contains important nuclei for cranial nerves, motor control, and sensory processing.

A condition caused by damage to the facial nerve (VII), resulting in ipsilateral facial paralysis, loss of taste on the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, deafness, vertigo, and ataxia.

A syndrome resulting from damage to the abducens nerve (VI) and facial nerve (VII), leading to ipsilateral facial paralysis and inability to abduct the eye on the same side, along with contralateral hemiplegia.

A condition caused by damage to the oculomotor nerve (III) nucleus and corticospinal fibers, leading to paralysis of the third cranial nerve and contralateral hemiplegia.

A syndrome resulting from damage to the superior colliculi, causing weakness of upward gaze and vertical nystagmus.

A condition characterized by the loss of the pupillary light reflex while the accommodation reflex is retained, indicating a lesion near the pretectal nucleus.

A rare condition resulting from a blocked anterior spinal artery, causing contralateral hemiplegia (paralysis on one side of the body) due to damage to the pyramid, loss of sense of vibration and position due to medial lemniscus damage, and tongue paralysis on the same side due to damage to the XII cranial nerve.

A condition caused by a blocked posterior inferior cerebellar artery, characterized by ipsilateral (same side) paralysis of the soft palate, pharynx, and larynx due to damage to the nucleus ambiguus, loss of pain and temperature sensation on the same side of the face due to involvement of the spinal nucleus and spinal tract of the trigeminal nerve, loss of pain and temperature sensation on the opposite side of the body due to involvement of the lateral spinothalamic tract, and dizziness due to damage to the vestibular nuclei.

A dangerous condition arising from an injury to the lower portion of the medulla oblongata, potentially leading to death due to damage to vital centers like the respiratory and vasomotor centers.

Characterized by bilateral (both sides) facial and limb paralysis due to damage to the VII nerve nucleus and corticospinal fibers, deep coma due to damage to the reticular formation, high fever (hyperpyrexia) due to interruption of temperature regulating fibers, and pinpoint pupils due to sympathetic ocular fiber damage. It is often fatal.

An anatomical region located at the junction of the pons and cerebellum, housing crucial structures like the choroid plexuses of the fourth ventricle, the flocculus (part of the cerebellum), and the VII and VIII cranial nerves. Acoustic neuromas, a type of tumor, frequently arise in this area, often affecting the VIII nerve.