Brainstem and Cerebellum Overview



Brainstem and Cerebellum Overview


Charles R. Carrasco, MD

Karen L. Salzman, MD



Terminology


Abbreviations



  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)


  • Cranial nerves (CN): Oculomotor nerve (CN3), trochlear nerve (CN4), trigeminal nerve (CN5), abducens nerve (CN6), facial nerve (CN7), vestibulocochlear nerve (CN8), glossopharyngeal nerve (CN9), vagus nerve (CN10), accessory nerve (CN11), hypoglossal nerve (CN12)


Synonyms



  • Classical nomenclature (simplified nomenclature)



    • Superior (tentorial), inferior (suboccipital), anterior (petrosal) cerebellar surfaces


    • Primary (tentorial), horizontal (petrosal), prebiventral/prepyramidal (suboccipital) cerebellar fissures


Definitions



  • Posterior fossa: Houses brainstem and cerebellum, below tentorium cerebelli (infratentorial)


  • Brainstem: Composed of midbrain (mesencephalon), pons and medulla oblongata


  • Cerebellum: Largest part of hindbrain, integrates coordinations & fine-tuning of movement & regulation of muscle tone


Gross Anatomy


Overview



  • Posterior fossa: Infratentorial contents



    • Protected space surrounded by calvarium, contains:



      • Brainstem anteriorly, cerebellum posteriorly


      • Cerebral aqueduct and fourth ventricle


      • CSF cisterns containing CNs, vertebrobasilar arterial system and veins


    • CSF cisterns suspend & cushion brainstem and cerebellum


  • Brainstem



    • Anatomic divisions



      • Midbrain (mesencephalon): Upper brainstem, connects pons and cerebellum with forebrain


      • Pons: Mid portion of brainstem, relays information from brain to cerebellum


      • Medulla: Caudal (inferior) brainstem, relays information from spinal cord to brain


    • Functional divisions



      • Ventral part: Contains large descending white matter tracts: Midbrain cerebral peduncles, pontine bulb, medullary pyramids


      • Dorsal part: Tegmentum, common to midbrain, pons and medulla; contains CN nuclei and reticular formation


  • Cerebellum



    • Two hemispheres & midline vermis, three surfaces


    • Connected to brainstem by three paired peduncles


    • Cortical gray matter, central white matter & four paired deep gray nuclei


Anatomy Relationships

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Jul 5, 2016 | Posted by in HEAD & NECK IMAGING | Comments Off on Brainstem and Cerebellum Overview

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