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

FunctionsIntegrates variety of visual and auditory reflexes (turn head to hear better, use eyes and head to maintain posture)Controls eye movement, pupil dilationDamage 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 GYRI (elevations/ridges) and SULCISULCI

(depressions/grooves)

Functions

1. coordinate muscular activity, movement2. coordinates reflexes3. 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