BRAIN STEM

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BRAIN STEM

• Kirsten A. Porter-Stransky
• Psychology Senior Seminar
• February 12, 2008

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Definition

• Brain stem the stem of the brain, from the
  medulla to the diencephalon, excluding the
  cerebellum
• Connects nerves ofthe peripheral nervous system
  tothe brain
• Important for basicfunctions of life

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3 Main Parts

• Midbrain
• Pons
• Medulla

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Reticular Formation

• A set of inter-connected nuclei located
  throughout the brain stem
• Dorsal Tegmental Nuclei
• Central Tegmental Nuclei
• Central Inferior Nuclei
• 2 Main Parts
• Ascending
• Descending

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Midbrain

• A.K.A. mesencephalon
• Has 2 Primary Parts
• Tectum the dorsal part of the midbrain
• Superior Colliculi
• Inferior Colliculi
• Tegmentum ventral part of the midbrain
• Reticular Formation
• Periaqueductal Gray Matter
• Red Nucleus
• Substantia Nigra

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Pons

• The large bulb in the midbrain rostral to the
  medulla and caudal to the midbrain and ventral to
  the cerebellum
• Functions
• Respiration
• Sleep
• Arousal

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Medulla

• Medulla Oblongata
• Myelencephalon
• Functions
• Respiration
• Heart Rate
• Speech
• Swallowing

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References

• Carlson, N.R. (2008). Foundations of
  Physiological Psychology, 7th edition. Boston
  Pearson.
• http//www.wemove.org/par/par_subn.html
• http//www.sci.uidaho.edu/med532/medulla.htm
• http//biology.about.com/library/organs/brain/blbr
  ainstem.htm
• http//www.csuchico.edu/pmccaffrey/syllabi/CMSD2
  0320/362unit6.html