AKABrainstem
Foramen Magnum
BRAINSTEM/ HINDBRAIN
Bainstem (Medulla) critical functions
• Ascending and Descending Fiber Tracts• Cranial Nerve Nuclei• All parasympathetic tone
– HR• Temp• BP• Etc
• Relative Inplasticity
Cranial nerve roots
Ascending ( and descending fibers)
Pons and Cerebellum
The RAS runs from medulla up to midbrain
Cerebellum
• Direction• Amplitude• Force• Timing
– Posture– Motor learning
The “Reticular activating system”
Many tiny brain nuclei collectively involved in modulation of arousal
The Raphe nucleus:part of the RAS involved in sleep, dreaming…an area likely
affected by SSRI’s and some hallucinogens
The PONS and the RAS- LC