Brainstem + Diencephalon

Question 1

medulla oblongata

Answer 1

• anterior to cerebellum (between spinal cord + pons)
• contains vital centers for regulating heart beat, breathing, vasoconstriction
• has reflex centers for vomiting, coughing, sneezing, hiccups, swallowing
• contains tracts that travel up and down between brain’s higher centers and spinal cord

Question 2

pons

Answer 2

• contains bundles of axons traveling between cerebellum and rest of CNS
• functions with medulla oblongata to regulate breathing rt
• has reflex centers for head movements in response to visual/auditory stimuli

Question 3

midbrain

Answer 3

• part of brainstem
• relay station for tracts between cerebrum and spinal cord/cerebellum
• has reflex centers for higher level reflexes (from visual/auditory/tactile stimuli)

Question 4

superior + inferior colliculi

Answer 4

• located on posterior portion of midbrain

- control reflexes for head and neck (caused by auditory/visual stimuli)

Question 5

diencephalon

Answer 5

• contains hypothalamus, thalamus, epithalamus

Question 6

hypothalamus functions (3)

Answer 6

• maintains homeostasis
• controls pituitary gland (links nervous + endocrine systems)
• regulates basic body functions

Question 7

thalamus functions (2)

Answer 7

• central relay station for sensory impulses (receives, filters, and directs them) EXCEPT SMELL
• last place for sensory input before cerebrum

Question 8

epithalamus

Answer 8

• mostly composed of pineal gland