The Internal structure of Brain Stem

YANG JIE Department of Human Anatomy and Histology/Embryology

Medical College of Xian Jiaotong University

The Brain Stem

The
The The

Medulla Oblongata
Pons

Midbrain

External Feature

Ventral surface observation The Medulla Oblongata anterior median fissure pyramid decussation of pyramid olive 4 pairs of cranial nerve emerge

External Feature

Ventral surface observation The Pons base swelling middle cerebellar peduncle basilar sulcus bulbopontine sulcus 4 pairs of cranial nerve enter or leave

External Feature

Ventral surface observation

Midbrain
cerebral peduncles interpeduncular fossa oculomotor nerve

External Feature

Dorsal surface observation The Medulla Oblongata lower part (close part) upper part (open part)

External Feature

Dorsal surface observation The Pons form the upper half of the floor of fourth ventricle

External Feature

Dorsal surface observation Midbrain 4 rounded eminences: the brachium of superior colliculus the brachium of inferior colliculus trochlear nerve

The Rhombiod fossa

Boundaries:
Superolaterally Inferolaterally

4 angles:
2 lateral angles, 1 caudal angles and 1 rostral angles

Main structure

Outline

The components of the brain stem The gray matter

The nuclei of cranial nerve (7 kinds, 16 nuclei) The non-cranial nuclei

1. General features

Components gray matter nuclei of cranial nerve non-cranial nerve nuclei reticular nuclei ascending fasciculi

Brain stem white matter

descending fasciculi reticular formation

2. Nuclei of brain stem the general somatic motor nuclei nucleus of oculomotor n.
supply most of the extraocular muscles except the superior oblique and lateral rectus muscles

nucleus of trochlear n. innervate the superior oblique muscle nucleus of abducent n. innervate the lateral rectus muscle.

hypoglossal nucleus
supply the muscles of the tongue

the special visceral motor nuclei motor nucleus of trigeminal n.

innervate the masticatory muscles

nucleus of facial n.
innervate the facial muscles

nucleus ambiguus
supply muscles of pharynx and larynx

nucleus of accessory n.
supply sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles

nucleus ambiguus

nucleus of accessory n.

 the general visceral motor nucleus

accessory nucleus of oculomotor n.

supply the ciliary muscles and sphincter of the iris.

superior salivary nucleus

control the secretion of lacrimal, submandibular and sublingual glands

inferior salivary nucleus

control the secretion of parotid gland.

dorsal nucleus of vagus n.

innervate thoracic visceral organs and most of the abdominal visceral organs.

 The

general visceral and special sensory nucleus nucleus of solitary tractus receives the visceral afferent fibers of facial, glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves.

 the

general Somatic sensory nucleus sensory nucleus of trigeminal nerve

Mesencephalic nucleus of trigeminal n. pontine nucleus of trigeminal n. spinal nucleus of trigeminal n.

 the

special Somatic sensory nucleus vestibular nuclei They receive the primary afferent fibers of vestibular nerve. cochlear nuclei They receive afferent fibers of cochlear nerve and related to audition.

2.2 The non-cranial nerve nuclei

1)gracile nucleus and cuneate nucleus:
receive ascending fibers of fasciculi gracilis and cuneatus The efferent fibers of gracile and cuneate nuclei form the medial lemniscus, finally they are terminated to the thalamus.
cuneate tubercle

cuneate nucleus
Gracile tubercle

gracile nucleus

2)nucleus of superior colliculus 3) red nucleus 4) substantial nigra 5) nucleus of inferior colliculus 6) pontine nucleus 7) inferior olivary nucleus

Thank you!