BCS 110 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Pontine Nuclei, Medulla Oblongata, Posterior Column

• School: University of Rochester
• Department: Brain and Cognitive Sciences
• Course: BCS 110
• Professor: Davis

Document Summary

In addition, it contains the inferior olivary nuclei (inputs to cerebellum; motor coordination) and the dorsal column nuclei (cuneatus and gracilis; touch): receive ascending somatosensory info: Solitary nucleus - vomiting out toxins: serves as the connection between brain and spinal cord, contains mainly axonal tracts, but some nuclei too. Like the medulla, it is composed of many ascending and descending fiber tracts. It does not initiate movement, but contributes to coordination, precision and timing. Pontine nuclei get it from motor cortex: output via superior peduncle - to where, mesencephalon - midbrain, considered to be the top of the brainstem, two divisions: Tectum - roof - dorsal surface: in mammals, the tectum is composed of two pairs of bumps, called the colliculi (little hills). The anterior pair, called the superior colliculi, have a visual-motor function, specifically to direct the body"s orientation towards or away from a visual stimulus. Sleeping-waking transitions and arousal/attention (the reticular activating system - ras)