Medulla BASICS

Question 1

hypoglossal nucleus

Answer 1

CN XII

• medial
• intrinsic/extrinsic muscles of tongue

Lesion:

• ipsilateral deviation
• ipsilateral fasiculations

Question 2

dorsal motor nucleus of X

Answer 2

CN X

• medial
• preganglionic parasympathetics to thorax/abdomen

Question 3

ambiguus nucleus

Answer 3

CN IX, X

• lateral
• larynx, pharynx, soft palate

Lesion

• hoarseness
• dysphagia
• ipsilateral droop of soft palate arch
• contralateral deviation of uvula

Question 4

solitarius nucleus

Answer 4

CN VII, IX, X

• lateral
• taste/sensation from tongue
• sensation from viscera

Question 5

spinal V nucleus

Answer 5

CN V (some VII, IX, X)

• lateral
• pain/temp to face/oral cavity

Lesion
-ipsilateral sensory deficit of FACE

Question 6

spinothalamic tract

Answer 6

• lateral
• localization of pain/temp in body

Lesion:
-contralateral sensory deficit of body

Question 7

corticospinal tract

Answer 7

• medial, ventral
• voluntary fine movement of distal extremities

Lesion

• contralateral deficit
• UMN signs

Question 8

medial lemniscus

Answer 8

• medial
• above decussation of dorsal spinal pathway

Lesion:
-contralateral loss of position/vibration in body

Question 9

reticular formation

Answer 9

• core

- respiration, HR, BP

Question 10

inferior cerebellar peduncle

Answer 10

-major communication cable btwn medulla and cerebellum

Lesion:
-ipsilateral ataxia

Question 11

what structures are affected in a lateral medullary lesion?

Answer 11

• ambiguus nucleus
• spinothalamic tract
• spinal nucleus of V
• vestibular nucleus
• solitarius nucleus
• sympathetic fibers leaving from dorsal motor nucleus of X

Question 12

what structures are affected in a medial medullary lesion?

Answer 12

• medial lemniscus
• corticospinal tract
• motor fibers leaving from hypoglossal nucleus