Everything else but the Cerebrum

THALAMUS Superior end of the brainstem Acts as a relay station of ingoing/outgoing nerve impulses (especially sensory) Damage to the thalamus can result in increased sensitivity to pain

HYPOTHALAMUS Inferior to the thalamus Maintains homeostasis (what’s that) through- Cardiovascular control Temperature control Appetite control (full) H2O balance Emotions (fear, pleasure) Sleep (keep awake)

THE BRAINSTEM

MIDBRAIN Superior to pons Functions Integrates variety of visual and auditory reflexes (turn head to hear better, use eyes and head to maintain posture) Controls eye movement, pupil dilation Damage disrupts balance, equilibrium, righting reflex; may result in unconsciousness, coma

PONS In front of the cerebellum between the midbrain and the medulla Functions Center to control motor function Inhibits sustained inhalation (exhale) Connect brainstem and cerebellum Arousal/sleep Damage may cause motor function loss, affect balance, apneustic breathing (sustained inhalation)

MEDULLA OBLONGATA Located between spinal cord and pons Functions include 1. formation of vital centers cardiac- slows heart rate respiration- rate/depth breaths vasomotor- regulate bp thru size/diameter blood vessels 2. passageway between spinal cord and brain 3. control coughing, vomiting, gagging, swallowing effects of damage depends on location

CEREBELLUM Located behind pons, below cerebrum Second largest part of brain Important component of motor system Has many GYRI (elevations/ridges) and SULCI (depressions/grooves)

Functions 1. coordinate muscular activity, movement 2 Functions 1. coordinate muscular activity, movement 2. coordinates reflexes 3. maintains posture and equilibrium (balance) Did you know that to raise the hand to the face to avoid a blow requires the synchronized movement of 50 or more muscles which then act on 30 separate bones of the arm and hand?

Damage to the cerebellum may cause tremors, impaired speech and writing accuracy, past-pointing, loss of muscle tone ATAXIA- puppet-like or jerky motion, reeling walk (drunken sailor) Severity determined by how much tissue is damaged