Neuroanatomy Weekend Review 3 Week 3, Lectures 7-10 Describe the receptors, nerve, and pathways for perceiving pain

n on the face. Trigeminal divisions V1, V2 and V3 are responsible for cutaneous innervation of the face. The spinal trigeminal tract extends from C3 to the level of the trigeminal nerve in the midpons (is homologous to the dorsolateral tract of Lissauer) and receives pain, temp., and light touch input. Pain fibers from the spinal trigeminal tract terminate in the caudal third of the spinal trigeminal nucleus (pars caudalis). The ventral trigeminothalamic tract serves as pain, temp. and light touch pathway from the face. It receives input from free nerve endings and Merkels disks. It receives discriminative tactile and pressure input from the contralateral principal sensory nucleus of CN V, which terminates in the ventral posteromedial (VPM) nucleus of the thalamus. It then ascends to the contralateral sensory cortex via three neurons: First-order neurons are located in trigeminal ganglion; mediate pain and temp. and give rise to axons that descend in the spinal trigenimal tract; mediate light touch and give rise to bifurcating axons that ascend and descend in the spinal trigeminal tract; synpase with second-order neurons in the spinal trigeminal nucleus. Second-order neurons are located in the spinal trigeminal nucleus; give rise to decussating axons that terminate in the contralateral VPM of thalamus; project axons to reticular formation and to motor cranial nerve nuclei to mediate reflexes (corneal reflexes); mediate painful stimuli and are found in the caudal third of the spinal trigeminal nucleus (par caudalis). Third-order neurons are located in the VPM; project via the posterior limb of the internal capsule to the face area of the postcentral gyrus (areas 3,1 and 2). The dorsal trigeminothalamic tract subserves discriminative tactile and pressure sensation from the face (and oral cavity) via the GSA fibers of CN V. It receives input from Meissners and Pacinian corpuscles. It is an uncrossed tract and is the rostral equivalent of the dorsal column-medial lemniscus system. It ascends to the sensory cortex via three neurons: First-order neurons are located in the trigeminal ganglion; synapse in the principal sensory nucleus of CN V. Second-order neurons are located in the principal sensory nucleus of CN V and project to the ipsilateral VPM of thalamus. Third-order neurons are located in the VPM and project via the posterior limb of the internal capsule to the face area of the postcentral gyrus (areas 3, 1 and 2).

Describe the consequences of a lesion in the upper medulla that interrupts the spinal tract of the trigeminal nerve and the spinothalamic tract. The spinal tract of the trigeminal nerve contains primary afferents for pain and temp. from the ipsilateral side of the face. The nearby spinothalamic tract (ALS) carries pain and temp. for the contralateral side of the body.

Describe the origins of the ventral trigeminothalamic tract and the synaptic destination in thalamus. The ventral trigeminothalamic tract serves as pain, temp. and light touch pathway from the face. It receives input from free nerve endings and Merkels disks. It receives discriminative tactile and pressure input from the contralateral principal sensory nucleus of CN V, which terminates in the ventral posteromedial (VPM) nucleus of the thalamus. It then ascends to the contralateral sensory cortex via three neurons:

First-order neurons are located in trigeminal ganglion; mediate pain and temp. and give rise to axons that descend in the spinal trigenimal tract; mediate light touch and give rise to bifurcating axons that ascend and descend in the spinal trigeminal tract; synpase with second-order neurons in the spinal trigeminal nucleus. Second-order neurons are located in the spinal trigeminal nucleus; give rise to decussating axons that terminate in the contralateral VPM of thalamus; project axons to reticular formation and to motor cranial nerve nuclei to mediate reflexes (corneal reflexes); mediate painful stimuli and are found in the caudal third of the spinal trigeminal nucleus (par caudalis). Third-order neurons are located in the VPM; project via the posterior limb of the internal capsule to the face area of the postcentral gyrus (areas 3,1 and 2).

What are the thalamic nuclei identified as sensory relay called? Motor relay nuclei? Describe the efferent projections from these nuclei to the cerebral cortex.

Thalamic nuclei are defined in relation to the area of cortex with which they connect, and the function of each is principally; sensory relay, or motor relay, or association relay, or nonspecific. A BAKER'S DOZEN OF IMPORTANT THALAMIC NUCLEI KEY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 NUCLEUS Ventral posterior lateral Ventral posterior medial MAJOR SUBCORTICAL INPUT SENSORY RELAY Medial lemniscus and ALS Trigeminothalamic tract Postcentral gyrus Postcentral gyrus Medial occipital cortex Transverse temporal gyri Precentral & premotor cortex Motor & premotor Cortex Cingulate gyrus (limbic) Cingulate Gyrus & Parahippocampal Gyrus Prefrontal Cortex Visual association cortex Collaterals to widespread cortical areas (primarily motor and premotor) & striatum Thalamus MOTOR RELAY Ventrall lateral nucleus Ventral anterior nucleus Anterior nucleus Lateral dorsal nucleus Medial dorsal nucleus Pulvinar Centromedian Reticular Cerebellum (VLp); basal ganglia (VLa) Basal ganglia, cerebellum ASSOCIATION RELAY Mammillothalamic tract Limbic forebrain, septal area Amygdala, septal area, anterior hypothalamus Optic tract & superior colliculus Found in internal medullary lamina Found in external medullary lamina MAJOR OUTPUT

Lateral geniculate nucleus Optic tract Medial geniculate nucleus Brachium inferior colliculus

INTRALAMINAR NUCLEI ARE NONSPECIFIC

What are the nuclei medial to the internal capsule, and what are the major functional components of the posterior limb of the internal capsule? The caudate nucleus and thalamus are medial to the internal capsule. The posterior limb of the internal capsule contains sensory radiations (pain, temp. and touch), corticospinal fibers and the visual and auditory radiations.

The dorsal medial nucleus and Pulvinar are "association nuclei", to what areas of cortex do they project?

The dorsal medial nucleus is reciprocally connected to the prefrontal cortex; has abundant connections with the intralaminar nuclei; receives input from the amygdaloid nucleus, the temporal neocortex, and the substantia nigra; is part of the limbic system and striatal system; when destroyed, causes memory loss (Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome); plays a role in the expression of affect, emotion, and behavior (limbic functions). The pulvinar is the largest thalamic nucleus; has reciprocal connections with the association cortex of the occipital, parietal, and posterior temporal lobes; receives input from the later and medial geniculate bodies and the superior colliculus; is concerned with the integration of visual, auditory, and somesthetic (touch, pain, temp.) input; lesions of dominant side may result in sensory aphasia (impaired of absent communication by speech, writing, or signs; loss of the capacity for spoken language).

Describe the neurons in the cerebral cortex that are primarily projection (output) neurons, and the others that are interneurons. The projection neurons of the cerebral cortex are typically pyramidal shaped, and have dendritic trees that are wide spread, while the axon will project out of that region of the cortex (frequently these use an excitatory transmitter such as glutamate). The interneurons are typically the granule or stellate shaped cells which have a dense dendritic arborization but in a fairly restricted area, and their axon will generally end in the same general vicinity (frequently these use inhibitory transimitters such as GABA or somatostatin).

What are the Brodmann area numbers for the primary sensory areas of cortex and for the primary motor cortex? Brodman areas 1, 2 and 3 - Primary sensory cortex; Brodman area 4 - Primary motor cortex

Describe a pathway for visual information to get transmitted from occipital lobe to the frontal lobe of a hemisphere. The association bundles of axons within a hemisphere provide examples of ways that visual information may reach the frontal lobe, e.g. the superior longitudinal fasciculus.

Contrast the histology and functions of the fovea, optic disc and peripheral retina. Optic disc is located 3.5mm nasal to the fovea; contains unmyelinated axons from the ganglion cell layer of the retina; is the blind spot (contains no rods or cones); contains a central cup, a peripheral disk margin, and retinal vessels. Fovea is located within the macula lutea; contains only cones and is the site of highest visual acuity; is avascular and receives nutrients by diffusion via the choriocapillaris (the choroid layer behind the retina); subserves color or day (photopic) vision; projects to the posterior part of the visual cortex Peripheral retina (paramacular area) is a large area surrounding the macular area that contains predominately rods; projects to the visual cortex anterior to the macular representation.

Draw two cups for eyes and an X for the optic nerves, chiasm and tracts. Identify the "left visual field" in relation to both eyes and indicate which part of the retinas will receive the stimulus. Trace the signal pathways for this stimulus through your drawing. Hey, Im not going to go to the trouble of figuring out how to draw this stupid shit on my computer and since there isnt a copy machine anywhere to be found anymore just look this up in the book if you have too. Netter plate 114 is good and there are diagrams in Nolte and Purves too. Its not that hard of a concept anyway.

Describe the foveal representation on the primary visual (striate or V1) cortex, and contrast it with the non-foveal representation. What vessel supplies blood to this area of cortex?

The visual (striate) cortex (area 17) is located on the banks of the calcerine sulcus and receives its blood supply from the calcarine artery, a branch of the posterior cerebral artery (anastomosis with the middle cerebral artery may be substantial possible explanation for macular sparing phenomenon). Posterior third of the visual cortex receives macular input (central vision). Intermediate are of the visual cortex receives paramacular input (peripheral vision). Anterior area of visual cortex receives monocular input.

LAB IV Study Questions: 1. What structures are seen in a frontal section at the level of the genu of interal capsule? Column of fornix, foramen of Monro and optic chiasm 2. What relationship does the caudate nucleus have to the lateral ventricle? Lateral/caudal 3. What arteries supply the arterial blood to : internal capsule lateral striate aa, anterior choroidal aa hippocampus anterior choroidal a occipital lobe posterior cerebral a corpus callosum anterior cerebral a 4. What is medial to the posterior limb of internal capsule? Thalamus (diencephalon) 5. The thalamic somato-sensory radiations are found in what part of internal capsule? Posterior limb