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NEUROANATOMY EXAM STUDY SHEET

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VENTRICULAR SYSTEM + MISCELLANY

General Flow of CSF: The two LATERAL VENTRICLES ------> FORAMEN OF MONROE ------> THIRD VENTRICLE ------> CEREBRAL AQUEDUCT ------> FOURTH VENTRICLE

LATERAL VENTRICLES: They are the primary makers of CSF, and they have four major parts, corresponding to the cerebral hemispheres.

COLLATERAL SULCUS: Divides phylogenetically the Archicortex medially from the Neocortex laterally.

CRANIAL NERVE NUCLEI: Where they are located.
CN NUCLEUS LOCATION
Spinal Trigeminal Nucleus (V) Medulla: It's right next to the Inferior Cerebellar Peduncle

Pons: It's right next to the Middle Cerebellar Peduncle

Spinal Trigeminal Tract (V) Throughout the Brainstem

Lateral to the Spinal Trigeminal Nucleus

Hypoglossal Nucleus (XII) Closed Medulla

Dorsal to the MLF, Central in the internal arcuate decussation

Dorsal Motor Nucleus (X) Early Open Medulla

Dorsolateral to Hypoglossal Nucleus, in Central Grey

Solitary Tract and Nucleus (IX, X) Early Open Medulla

The Tract is a dark spot in the Reticular Formation

Nucleus Ambiguus (IX, X, XI) Early Open Medulla

Laterally in the Reticular Formation, near the Inferior Cerebellar Peduncle

Spinal Vestibular Nucleus (VIII) Open Medulla

It's more pigmented; located just medial to inferior Cerebella Peduncle, on dorsal surface.

Medial Vestibular Nucleus (VIII) Open Medulla

It's less pigmented; medial to Spinal Vestibular Nucleus

Dorsal Cochlear Nucleus (VIII) Open Medulla

Lateral to Inferior Cerebellar Peduncle, just proximal to nerve

Ventral Cochlear Nucleus (VIII) Open Medulla

Almost in the nerve

COCHLEAR NERVE (VIII) Open Medulla

It exits lateral to the Inferior Cerebellar Peduncle

Facial Nucleus (VII) Pontomedullary Junction

Floor of the Fourth Ventricle, just lateral to Abducens Nucleus

FACIAL NERVE (VII) Pontomedullary Junction

It can be seen crossing the Reticular Formation on right side, and coursing more laterally through Pons

Abducens Nucleus (VI) Pons

Very dorsal surface of Pons; floor of the fourth ventricle medially

ABDUCENS NERVE (VI) Pons

Can be seen coursing medially through Pons

Main Sensory Trigeminal Nucleus (V) Pons

Right next to Middle Cerebellar Peduncle

Motor Trigeminal Nucleus (V) Pons

Just medial to Main Sensory of V

Mesencephalic Trigeminal Nucleus (V) Pons

Right below the Superior Cerebellar Peduncle

TRIGEMINAL NERVE (V) Pons (caudal Pons)

Can be seen exiting off the CN-V Nuclei, near the MCP

TROCHLEAR NERVE (IV) Pontomesencephalic Junction (After MCP)

It can be seen exiting dorsally

Trochlear Nucleus (IV) Mesencephalon (Inferior Colliculus)

Central Gray, above MLF

Oculomotor Nucleus (III) Mesencephalon (Superior Colliculus)

Central Gray, inside the "V" of the MLF

Edinger-Westphal Nucleus (III) Mesencephalon (Superior Colliculus)

Central Gray, directly dorsal to Oculomotor Nucleus

OCULOMOTOR NERVE (III) Mesencephalon (Rostrum)

Can be seen coursing between Red Nuclei, and exiting out of Interpeduncular Fossa


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BLOOD SUPPLY TO THE CNS

ANTERIOR CIRCULATION: Basically the Carotid System.

POSTERIOR CIRCULATION: Basically the vertebral system.

CIRCLE OF WILLIS: The anastomotic arterial connections supplying the cranial cavity. The two main supplies to the brain are the Internal Carotid and Vertebral Arteries, and they communicate through the Circle of Willis.


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THE SPINAL CORD

FUNICULI OF SPINAL CORD:

SENSORY (ASCENDING) TRACTS: Sensory Tracts are Three-Neuron Chains.

DESCENDING (MOTOR) TRACTS in SPINAL CORD: Motor Tracts are Two-Neuron Chains.

PYRAMIDAL MOTOR SYSTEM: The Lateral Corticospinal Tract, Anterior Corticospinal Tract, and Corticobulbar Tract. All other motor systems are called extrapyramidal. Within the pyramidal system:

BROWN-SEQUARD SYNDROME: Oblique hemisection of spinal cord at C8.
LOST STRUCTURE SYMPTOM NOTES
Dorsal Columns Ipsilateral loss of proprioception and vibratory sense below C8 Only gracilis is affected at this level, and not cuneatus.
Anterolateral System, containing Lateral Spinothalamic Tract Contralateral loss of pain and temperature below T1 Fibers ascend one level before crossing through Anterior Commissure.

In case of partial lesion, remember segmentotopic org.: Sacral = lateral, Cervical = medial

C8 Dorsal Root Complete loss of sensation over C8 dermatome: Ulnar hand and wrist SEGMENTAL MARKER
C8 Ventral Horn Ipsilateral Lower-Motoneuron loss over C8 myotome Flaccid paralysis, hyporeflexia, weakness and wasting. SEGMENTAL MARKER
Lateral Corticospinal Tract Contralateral Upper Motoneuron loss, below level C8 Spastic Paralysis, hyperreflexia, Positive Babinski.

In case of partial lesion: Sacral = lateral, Cervical = medial


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THE MEDULLA

BLOOD SUPPLY:

THE CLOSED MEDULLA

LEVEL OF THE PYRAMIDAL DECUSSATION: The Spino-Medullary Junction. The most caudal section of the medulla, right above the Foramen Magnum.

THE LEVEL OF THE INTERNAL ARCUATE DECUSSATION: Next level up, where sensory fibers from the Nuclei Gracilis and Cuneatus are crossing, heading ventrally, to go to the contralateral medial lemniscus.

LATERAL SPINOTHALAMIC TRACT: Contained in the Anterolateral System, throughout the medulla.

SEGMENTAL MARKERS FOR THE LOWER (CLOSED) MEDULLA:

THE TRIGEMINAL NERVE (V) AND NUCLEI -- The Nuclei are in the open and closed medulla, and the Pons.

MEDIAL MEDULLARY SYNDROME: Occlusion of the Anterior Spinal Artery at the level of the Obex, i.e. right at the junction of the open and closed medulla.
LOST STRUCTURE SYMPTOM NOTES
Pyramid Contralateral Upper Motor Hemiplegia Spastic Paralysis Hyperreflexia, Positive Babinski on contralateral side
The Medial Lemniscus Contralateral loss of vibratory sense and proprioception This is right at the level of the Sensory Decussation
Hypoglossal Nucleus (XII) Ipsilateral paralysis of tongue Tongue will deviate toward the affected (ipsilateral) side.

OPEN MEDULLA

INFERIOR OLIVARY NUCLEUS: GOOD INDICATOR that you are in the medulla. It is found in the medulla and nowhere else.

VESTIBULAR NUCLEUS (VIII): SEGMENTAL MARKER for the Open Medulla. Carries balance-information from the inner ear.

INFERIOR CEREBELLAR PEDUNCLE: Generally connects the spinal cord to the cerebellum. Receives three sets of afferent fibers and conveys them into the cerebellum:

DORSAL MOTOR NUCLEUS (DMV) OF THE VAGUS (X): Send parasympathetics to the thorax and abdomen. Receives input from the Nucleus of the Tractus Solitarius which is just lateral to it.

NUCLEUS AMBIGUUS (NA): Located in the open medulla that will carry motor innervation to the branchial arches via cranial nerves IX, X, and XI (i.e. larynx and pharynx).

LATERAL MEDULLARY (Wallenberg's) SYNDROME: Occlusion of Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery (PICA), which perfuses the dorsolateral upper (open) medulla.
LOST STRUCTURE SYMPTOM NOTES
Vestibular Nucleus (VIII) Dizziness and Nystagmus (movement of eyes to accommodate for dizziness)
Inferior Cerebellar Peduncle Loss of coordination and balance; nausea; no unconscious proprioception They can't keep their balance with their eyes closed.
Descending Sympathetic Fibers Ipsilateral Horner's Syndrome -- ptosis, miosis, anhydrosis These fibers are diffuse and hard to pinpoint. They influence intermediolateral neurons in spinal cord.
Lateral Spinothalamic Tract CONTRALATERAL loss of pain and temperature sensation in lower body
Nucleus Ambiguus Impaired Gag Reflex, hoarseness, dysphagia
Spinal Trigeminal Nucleus and Tract IPSILATERAL loss of pain and temperature sensation in face This is exact opposite as that for the body -- this SPLIT in pain/temp loss indicates a medullar syndrome


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THE PONS

BLOOD SUPPLY:

THE BASILAR PONS: The ventral aspect of the Pons.

THE PONTINE TEGMENTUM: That portion of the Pons dorsal to the Basilar Pons and ventral to the Fourth Ventricle.

MEDIAL INFERIOR PONTINE SYNDROME: Occlusion of the Paramedian Branch of the Basilar Artery
LOST STRUCTURE SYMPTOM NOTES
Pyramids of Basilar Pons Contralateral Upper Motor Neuron Hemiplegia
Pontine Nuclei

Pontocerebellar Fibers

Bilateral Limb Ataxia Lost influence of fine motor coordination and "planning" of motor activity
Medial Lemniscus Contralateral loss of proprioception and vibratory sense The Medial Lemniscus has moved laterally now.
Abducens Nucleus (VI) Ipsilateral Internal Strabismus -- eye points inward (III) and downward (IV) SEGMENTAL MARKER
Facial Nucleus (VII) Contralateral facial paralysis both above and below eye. SEGMENTAL MARKER.

Above and Below eye indicates

CORNEAL REFLEX: Touch the cornea and see whether one or both eyes blink.

MEDIAL SUPERIOR PONTINE SYNDROME: Caused by occlusion of the Upper Branch of the Basilar Artery.

LATERAL SUPERIOR PONTINE SYNDROME: Caused by occlusion of the Superior Cerebellar Artery.


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THE MESENCEPHALON

THE CRUS CEREBRI: Also known as the Cerebral Peduncle. It is the major pathway of motor neurons out of the cortex. It is segmentotopically organized as follows:

SUBSTANTIA NIGRA: Located between the Tegmentum and the Crus Cerebri.

TEGMENTUM: That region of the Mesencephalon, between the Substantia Nigra and the Cerebral Aqueduct. The Tegmentum also refers to the corresponding regions in the Medulla and Pons.

TECTUM: That region of the Mesencephalon dorsal to the Cerebral Aqueduct, containing the two Superior colliculi and two Inferior Colliculi.

WEBER'S SYNDROME: Paramedian infarct of the Midbrain.
LOST STRUCTURE SYMPTOM NOTES
CRUS CEREBRI:

Frontopontine Tract

CRUS CEREBRI:

Corticobulbar Tract

Contralateral paralysis of lower half (suborbital) of the face. The Central Lesion of VII is what is easily identifiable clinically
CRUS CEREBRI:

Corticospinal

Contralateral Spastic Paralysis, Hyperreflexia, Positive Babinski Upper Motor Neuron Hemiplegia
CRUS CEREBRI:

Occipito/Tempero/Parieto Pontine Tracts

Contralateral General Ataxia Lost sensation-feedback from somatic, auditory, and vision lobes.
Oculomotor Nucleus (III) 1) Ipsilateral External Strabismus (Down and Out)

2) No pupillary reflex (dilated eyes)

3) Complete Ptosis (closed eyelid)

SEGMENTAL MARKER

1) Due to lost GSE fibers.

2) Due to lost Parasympathetics to Pupillary Muscle

3) Due to lost innervation of Levator Palpebrae

Substantia Nigra Parkinsonian Symptoms Affects extrapyramidal motor system. Limb ataxia.


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THE DIENCEPHALON AND BASAL GANGLIA

THE DIENCEPHALON:

THE INTERNAL CAPSULE: It is the main highway of communication between the cortex and brainstem.

THE BASAL GANGLIA (CORPUS STRIATUM): They are Telencephalon (forebrain) derivatives.

POSTERIOR LIMB SYNDROME: Occlusion of the Anterior Choroidal Artery.
LOST STRUCTURE SYMPTOM NOTES
Corticospinal Fibers in the Posterior Limb Contralateral Upper Motor Hemiplegia Spastic Paralysis, Positive Babinski, Hyperreflexia
Lost Somatosensory Fibers (Superior Thalamic Radiations) in Posterior Limb Contralateral loss of somatic sensation. There is a crude awareness of pain retained by the intact Thalamus
Lost Optic Radiations Contralateral Homonymous Hemianopia -- loss of the contralateral field of vision SEGMENTAL MARKER for the Posterior Limb.

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CEREBRAL CORTEX

TYPES OF CEREBRAL FIBERS: Cerebral Cortex has about 15 billion neurons, about as many glial cells, and a rich capillary network.

FRONTAL LOBE:

PARIETAL LOBE:

TEMPORAL LOBE:

OCCIPITAL LOBE:

LESION TO THE LATERAL LEFT FRONTAL LOBE: Occlusion in the distribution of Middle Cerebral Artery

LESION TO LEFT TEMPORAL AND POSTERIOR PARIETAL LOBE: Occlusion in the distribution of Middle Cerebral Artery.


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NEUROEMBRYOLOGY

Development of Neural Tube:

NEURAL CREST CELLS: Lie on either side of the Neural Groove and are pinched off by closure of the Neural Tube. They form a number of important structures.

Proliferation in Neural Tube:

SPINAL CORD DEVELOPMENT:

BRAINSTEM / CEREBELLUM DEVELOPMENT:

TELENCEPHALON: The neurons develop in an "inside-out" fashion. The earliest neuronal birthdays occur closest to the medullary center, then neurons migrate beyond that.

Cellular Events in Development:


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