The basal plate → primarily efferent nuclei (CN V, VI, VII, superior salivatory nuclei) The alar plate → somatic and visceral sensory nuclei (CN V, VIII, pontine nuclei) Estimated time of development of various brain regions
Modified from Bayer SA et al. Neurotoxicology 14:83–144, 1993
Longitudinal zones in the brain stem cranial tectum Structures in Pons: Nuclei → neuronal tegmentum bodies Reticular formation → neuronal bodies Tracts = white matter basis → neuronal axons passing through ending in pons
caudal Level of CN V- Pons Superior Cerebellar Peduncle
4th Ventricle
Middle Cerebellar Peduncle Level of CN VI, VII- Pons Superior Cerebellar Peduncle
Facial Colliculus
Middle Cerebellar Peduncle
Pyramids (beginning) The brainstem is connected to the cerebellum via the cerebellar peduncles
superior cerebellar peduncle (SCP) Brachium conjunctivum
Midbrain ↔ Cerebellum
middle cerebellar peduncle (MCP) Brachium pontis
Pons → Cerebellum MCP is the principal input path of the cerebellum (it has no output)
inferior cerebellar peduncle (MCP)
Medulla oblongata ↔ Cerebellum Afferent cerebellar pathways in brainstem
Saggital view Dorsal view
Structures in basis pontis Cortico-ponto-cerebellar fibers Corticospinal fibers Corticobulbar fibers (cortex → cranial nerve nuclei) direct corticobulbar
nuclei) Nuclei pontis (gray matter) Corticopontocerebellar fibers constitute the largest group of fibers in the basis pontis
Wide areas of cortex → ipsilateral pontine nuclei →
contralateral cerebellum via MCP (some 10% - ipsilat.) Number of fibers - 19 million on each side/number of pontine nuclei neurons – 23 million on each side (~1:1) Principal cortical input – primary sensorimotor areas → correction of movements All projections are somatotopically organized Corticopontocerebellar pathway
Purves, et al, Neuroscience, 3rd ed.
Corticopontine tract – upper pons
Origin: Premotor, primary motor, and primary somatosensory cortex
Course: Internal Capsule (A/P), cerebral peduncles, Pons Termination: Pontine nuclei Laterality: Ipsilateral Fibers will then synapse on Corticopontine tract pontine nuclei, which then decussate in the transverse fibers of the pons and enter the MCP…
Pontine Nuclei
Origin: Premotor, primary motor, and primary somatosensory cortex
preprogram of fine motor movements, esp. upper extremity
Origin: Pontine Nuclei
Course: Immediately decussates and enters MCP Termination: granule cells of the cerebellar hemispheres Laterality: Contralateral Corticospinal and corticobulbar tracts Corticospinal tract – upper pons
Origin: Primary motor cortex (BA 4)
Course: Post Limb IC, Pyramids Termination: Spinal cord ventral horn Laterality: CONTRA (lateral), IPSI (anterior) Corticospinal tract – lower pons
Origin: Primary motor cortex (BA 4)
Course: Post Limb IC, Pyramids Termination: Spinal cord ventral horn Laterality: CONTRA (lateral), IPSI (anterior) Corticobulbar tracts
Motor input to:
Reticular formations – pontine Cranial Nerve motor nuclei – V, VI, VII, VIII
Note – No direct connections from the primary motor
cortex to CN VI; this nucleus gets input from frontal and parietal cortex Structures in the tegmentum pontis Cranial nerve nuclei – CN V, VI, VII, VIII Reticular formation - nucleus locus ceruleus & other Crossing pathways ascending (sensory) – basal part of tegmentum lemniscal spinothalamic anterior spinocerebellar tract
descending (motor) central tegmental tract (basal ganglia/midbrain → inferior olive) rubrospinal tract tectospinal tract other – sympathetic fibers from hypothalamus; medial longitudinal fasciculus Position of ascending to descending fibers in tegmentum
ascending – ventral part of tegmentum
descending – dorsal part of tegmentum Descending brain stem pathways (to spinal cord) (tectospinal)
Purves, et al, Neuroscience, 3rd ed.
Cranial nerve nuclei in brain stem Name Nerve Nuclei Oculomotor III Oculomotor, Edinger–Westphal midbrain Trochlear IV Trochlear Trigeminal V Main sensory, spinal (descending), mesencephalic, motor (masticatory) Abducens VI Abducens pons Facial VII Facial, superior salivatory, gustatory (solitary)** Vestibulocochlear VIII Cochlear (2 nuclei), vestibular (4 nuclei) Glossopharyngeus IX Ambiguus*, inferior salivatory, solitary** Vagus X Dorsal motor, ambiguus**, solitary* medulla Accessory XI Spinal accessory (C1–5), ambiguus** Hypoglossal XII Hypoglossal
** The solitary nucleus is common for CN VII, IX, and X
* The ambiguus nucleus is common for CN IX, X, and XI Cranial nerves – sensory nuclei Cranial nerves – motor nuclei CN V: Trigeminal CN V: Trigeminal
The “level” of CN V is determined by where the nerve fibers * exit * *
* Afferent and efferent roots of CN V
Mesencephalic nucleus is homologous to the dorsal root ganglion but centrally placed
Trigeminal Jaw jerk reflex – CN V
Proprioceptive fibers to the mesencephalic nucleus convey pressure and
kinesthesia from the teeth, periodontium, hard palate, and joint capsules as well as impulses from stretch receptors in the muscles of mastication. The mesencephalic nucleus is concerned with mechanisms that control the force of the bite. CN V: Trigeminal - mesencephalic The mesencephalic Origin: Mesencephalic nucleus and tract run Nucleus of V above the level of CN V Course: Mesencephalic tract of V Termination: Motor Nucleus of V Laterality: Bilateral CN V: Trigeminal motor and chief sensory (level of CN V) Chief Sensory Motor nucleus nucleus of V of V AR
L AL
SA BA
Alar → sensory Basal → motor Corneal reflex
CN V
CN VII
Touching the cornea elicits reflex closure of the eye → might be
disrupted in pontine lesions CN V: Trigeminal Spinal nucleus and tract at level of VI/VII Neuron #1 Origin: Trigeminal (Gasserian) Ganglion Course: All branches of Trigeminal Nerve, Spinal Trigeminal tract Termination: Spinal Nucleus of V Laterality: Ipsilateral CN VI: Abducens Origin: Abducens Nucleus Course: Exit PM Jxn, ascend through Dorello’s canal, cavernous sinus, sup orb fissure Termination: Lateral Rectus Laterality: Ipsilateral CN VI: Abducens CN VI: Abducens - paralysis
Left eye can’t
look to left. CN VII: Facial Origin: Geniculate Ganglion (sensory), Motor Nucleus of VII (motor), Salivatory Nucleus (autonomic) Course: CNVII, through IAC, temporal bone, exit stylomastoid foramen Termination: Nucleus Solitarius (taste), Muscles of facial expression, stapedius, post belly digastric, Parasympathetic ganglia (sublingual, lacrimal, submandibular) Laterality: Ipsilateral CN VII: Facial Motor Sensory visceral somatic
sol
CN VI Solitarius Motor
Motor VII
Salivatory The unusual course of facial motor nucleus axons CN VII: Facial – Bell’s palsy CN VIII: Vestibulocochlear Cochlear Portion Origin: Spiral Ganglion Course: CNVIII, through internal auditory meatus Termination: Cochlear Nucleus Laterality: Ipsilateral
