BIOL 2110K Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Melanin, Respiratory Center, Brainstem
Document Summary
Connects cerebrum, diencephalon, and cerebellum to spinal cord. Ascending and descending tracts, autonomic nuclei, nuclei of cranial nerves, reflex centers. Houses cranial nerves iii (oculomotor) and iv (trochlear) Carry voluntary motor commands from primary motor cortex. Bands of ascending, myelinated axons running through brainstem. Clusters of cells with black appearance due to melanin, produce dopamine. Involved in movement, emotions, pleasure and pain response. Include sensory and motor tracts connecting brain to spinal cord. Cranial nerves v-vii; trigeminal, abducens, facial, and vestibulocochlear. Helps regulate skeletal muscles of breathing (unconscious breathing) Nuclei that controls autonomic nervous system, breathing, heart pumping, dilating of blood vessels accessory, and hypoglossal. Pair of ridges on anterior surface; houses corticospinal tracts for motor control; each side of cortex controls movement on opposite body side. Bulges lateral to each pyramid; contain inferior olivary nucleus; relay proprioceptive information to cerebellum. Strong influence on blood pressure (vessel constriction increases pressure)
