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PSYCHOBIOLOGY #4 The brainstem
NOMENCLATURE:
Needed for a properly body operation
Automatic, involuntary movements, reflexes (no consciousness); Crossing pathway from voluntary movements and afferent information
The brainstem is a technical center: regulation of breath rhythm, heart bumping, global muscular strength, blood pressure….
NEURAL SYSTEMS in BRAINSTEM
- Local circuits Sensorial/motor nuclei of cranial nerves (somatic and visceral control) Reticular formation neurons (relay neurons)
Motor reflexes
- No local: information to and from the brain and to/from the cerebellum
Communication between:
- Brain and spinal cord
- Brain and cerebellum
Fibers that connect the brain with the brainstem
Attachment fibers that connect the cerebellum with the brainstem.
Brainstem nuclei:
DORSAL RAPHE: serotonine LOCUS COERULEUS: noradrenaline (Ascending activating system)
VENTRAL TEGMENTAL AREA (VTA): dopamine
- Transition from the spinal cord to the brain
- Nuclei of cranial nerves XI and XII (cell bodies of neurons controlling neck and tongue musles)
- Control of vital functions (autonomic system):
- Regulation of cardiovascular system (heart rate)
- Respiration (breathing), sneezing, coughing
- Skeletal muscle tonus
- Vomiting center
- Vasomotor centers (blood presssure)
The corticospinal or pyramidal tract is a collection of axons that travel between the cerebral cortex of the brain and the spinal cord (motor axons) The dorsal columns nucleus and spilothalamic tract (somatosensory
information)
