Brain Function Cerebellum and Brain Stem

About Brain Injury:

A Guide to Brain Anatomy, Function and Symptoms

The Cerebellum And The Brain Stem

Brain Structure	Function	Associated Signs and Symptoms
Cerebellum	Coordination and control of voluntary movement.	Tremors. Nystagmus (Involuntary movement of the eye). Ataxia, lack of coordination.
Brain Stem:
Midbrain	Nerve pathway of cerebral hemispheres. Auditory and Visual reflex centers. Cranial Nerves: CN III - Oculomotor (Related to eye movement), [motor]. CN IV - Trochlear (Superior oblique muscle of the eye which rotates the eye down and out), [motor].	Weber's: CN III palsy and ptosis (drooping) ipsalateral (same side of body). Pupils: Size: Midposition to dilated. Reactivity: Sluggish to fixed. LOC (Loss of consciousness): Varies Movement: Abnormal extensor ( muscle that extends a part). Respiratory: Hyperventilating. CN (Cranial Nerve) Deficits: CN III, CN IV.
Pons	Respiratory Center. Cranial Nerves: CN V - Trigeminal (Skin of face, tongue, teeth; muscle of mastication), [motor and sensory]. CN VI - Abducens (Lateral rectus muscle of eye which rotates eye outward), [motor]. CN VII - Facial (Muscles of expression), [motor and sensory]. CN VIII - Acoustic (Internal auditory passage), [sensory].	Pupils: Size: Pinpoint LOC: Semi-coma "Akinetic Mute". "Locked In" Syndrome. Movement: Abnormal extensor. Withdrawal. Respiratory: Apneustic (Abnormal respiration marked by sustained inhalation). Hyperventilation. CN Deficits: CN VI, CN VII.
Medulla Oblongata	Crossing of motor tracts. Cardiac Center. Respiratory Center. Vasomotor (nerves having muscular control of the blood vessel walls) Center Centers for cough, gag, swallow, and vomit. Cranial Nerves: CN IX - Glossopharyneal (Muscles and mucous membranes of pharynx, the constricted openings from the mouth and the oral pharynx and the posterior third of tongue.), [mixed]. CN X - Vagus (Pharynx, larynx, heart, lungs, stomach), [mixed]. CN XI - Accessory (Rotation of the head and shoulder), [motor]. CN XII - Hypoglossal (Intrinsic muscles of the tongue), [motor].	Movement: Ipsilateral (same side) plegia (paralysis). Pupils: Size: Dilated. Reactivity: Fixed. LOC: Comatose. Respiratory: Abnormal breathing patterns. Ataxic. Clustered. Hiccups. CN Palsies (Inability to control movement): Absent Cough. Gag.

Brain Structure

Function

Associated Signs and Symptoms

Cerebellum

Coordination and control of voluntary movement.

Tremors.
Nystagmus (Involuntary movement of the eye).
Ataxia, lack of coordination.

Brain Stem:

Midbrain

Nerve pathway of cerebral hemispheres.

Auditory and Visual reflex centers.

Cranial Nerves:

CN III - Oculomotor (Related to eye movement), [motor].

CN IV - Trochlear (Superior oblique muscle of the eye which rotates the eye down and out), [motor].

Weber's: CN III palsy and ptosis (drooping) ipsalateral (same side of body).
Pupils:

Size: Midposition to dilated.

Reactivity: Sluggish to fixed.

LOC (Loss of consciousness): Varies
Movement: Abnormal extensor ( muscle that extends a part).
Respiratory: Hyperventilating.
CN (Cranial Nerve) Deficits: CN III, CN IV.

Pons

Respiratory Center.

Cranial Nerves:

CN V - Trigeminal (Skin of face, tongue, teeth; muscle of mastication), [motor and sensory].

CN VI - Abducens (Lateral rectus muscle of eye which rotates eye outward), [motor].

CN VII - Facial (Muscles of expression), [motor and sensory].

CN VIII - Acoustic (Internal auditory passage), [sensory].

Pupils:

Size: Pinpoint

LOC:

Semi-coma

"Akinetic Mute".

"Locked In" Syndrome.

Movement:

Abnormal extensor.

Withdrawal.

Respiratory:

Apneustic (Abnormal respiration marked by sustained inhalation).

Hyperventilation.

CN Deficits: CN VI, CN VII.

Medulla Oblongata

Crossing of motor tracts.

Cardiac Center.

Respiratory Center.

Vasomotor (nerves having muscular control of the blood vessel walls) Center

Centers for cough, gag, swallow, and vomit.

Cranial Nerves:

CN IX - Glossopharyneal (Muscles and mucous membranes of pharynx, the constricted openings from the mouth and the oral pharynx and the posterior third of tongue.), [mixed].

CN X - Vagus (Pharynx, larynx, heart, lungs, stomach), [mixed].

CN XI - Accessory (Rotation of the head and shoulder), [motor].

CN XII - Hypoglossal (Intrinsic muscles of the tongue), [motor].

Movement: Ipsilateral (same side) plegia (paralysis).
Pupils:

Size: Dilated.

Reactivity: Fixed.

LOC: Comatose.
Respiratory:

Abnormal breathing patterns.

Ataxic.

Clustered.

Hiccups.

CN Palsies (Inability to control movement):

Absent Cough.

Gag.

Return To Previous Page

Return To Brain Anatomy

Intracranial Pressure

Understanding Coma

Rancho Los Amigos Scale/ The Levels of Coma

Objectives of Neurosurgery

A Glossary of Terms

Attorney Gordon S. Johnson, Jr.

E-mail to: waiting.com
For legal questions call toll free: 1-800-992-9447

We are not medical professionals, however we encourage your inquiries regarding both legal issues and information on futher resources. Phone and email inquiries will be received by the staff of the Brain Injury Law Office, including Attorney Gordon S. Johnson, Jr.

copyright ©2002 - 2008 Attorney Gordon S. Johnson, Jr., All rights reserved.

JLO Sites:

Webdesign by Black Dogs & Macs