The Brainstem
The brainstem regulates many basic functions, including respiration, heart rate, blood pressure, and visceral activity. It includes the midbrain, pons, and the medulla oblongata, which is continous with the spinal cord.
The brainstem contains tracts that contains tracts that connect the cortex, cerebellum, and spinal cord, as well as important autonomic nuclei. It serves as the origin of almost all the cranial nerves.
White (tracts) and gray (nuclei) matter are distributed throughout the brainstem, with patches of gray scattered throughout.
Brainstem Problems
Medial medullary sydrome
- contralateral hemiparesis (pyramids)
- contralateral tactile and kinesthetic deficits (medial lemniscus)
- ipsilateral paralysis and atrophy of tongue (hypoglossal nucleus)
Lateral medullary (Wallenberg's) syndrome
- can be caused by occlusion of one vertebral or PICA artery
- contralateral pain and temperature loss from body (spinothalamic tract)
- ipsilateral pain and temperature loss from face (spinal trigeminal tract)
- hoarseness and difficulty swallowing (nucleus ambiguus)
- Horner's syndrome