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A Guide to Brain Anatomy, Function and Symptoms

The Cerebellum and The Brain Stem
Cerebellum: Function Associated Signs and Symptoms
Cerebellum Coordination and control of voluntary movement.
  • Tremors.
  • Nystagmus (Involuntary movement of the eye).
  • Ataxia, lack of coordination.
Brain Stem:
Function
Associated Signs and Symptoms
Midbrain

Midbrain

Nerve pathway of cerebral hemispheres.

Auditory and Visual reflex centers.

Cranial Nerves:

  • CN III - Oculomotor (Related to eye movement), [motor].
  • CN IV - Trochlear (Superior oblique muscle of the eye which rotates the eye down and out), [motor].
  • Weber's: CN III palsy and ptosis (drooping) ipsalateral (same side of body).
  • Pupils:
    Size: Midposition to dilated.
    Reactivity: Sluggish to fixed.
  • LOC (Loss of consciousness): Varies
  • Movement: Abnormal extensor ( muscle that extends a part).
  • Respiratory: Hyperventilating.
  • CN (Cranial Nerve) Deficits: CN III, CN IV.
Pons

Pons

Respiratory Center.

Cranial Nerves:

  • CN V - Trigeminal (Skin of face, tongue, teeth; muscle of mastication), [motor and sensory].
  • CN VI - Abducens (Lateral rectus muscle of eye which rotates eye outward), [motor].
  • CN VII - Facial (Muscles of expression), [motor and sensory].
  • CN VIII - Acoustic (Internal auditory passage), [sensory].
  • Pupils:
    Size: Pinpoint
  • LOC:
    Semi-coma
    "Akinetic Mute".
    "Locked In" Syndrome.
  • Movement:
    Abnormal extensor.
    Withdrawal.
  • Respiratory:
    Apneustic (Abnormal respiration marked by sustained inhalation).
    Hyperventilation.
  • CN Deficits: CN VI, CN VII.
Medulla Oblongata

Medulla Oblongata

Crossing of motor tracts.

Cardiac Center.

Respiratory Center.

Vasomotor (nerves having muscular control of the blood vessel walls) Center

Centers for cough, gag, swallow, and vomit.

Cranial Nerves:

  • CN IX - Glossopharyneal (Muscles and mucous membranes of pharynx, the constricted openings from the mouth and the oral pharynx and the posterior third of tongue.), [mixed].
  • CN X - Vagus (Pharynx, larynx, heart, lungs, stomach), [mixed].
  • CN XI - Accessory (Rotation of the head and shoulder), [motor].
  • CN XII - Hypoglossal (Intrinsic muscles of the tongue), [motor].
  • Movement: Ipsilateral (same side) plegia (paralysis).
  • Pupils:
    Size: Dilated.
    Reactivity: Fixed.
  • LOC: Comatose.
  • Respiratory:
    Abnormal breathing patterns.
    Ataxic.
    Clustered.
    Hiccups.
  • CN Palsies (Inability to control movement):
    Absent Cough.
    Gag.

Next: Brain Injury Symptomatology

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