4. Brainstem
• Performs spinal cord-like functions for the
head
• Contains LMN for head muscles
• Initial processing of general afferent
information concerning head
5. Conduit function
• Ascending tracts reach thalamus and
cerebellum
• Descending tracts reach spinal cord
• Many tracts do not run through straight-
frequent involvement of relay nuclei
6. Cranial nerve functions
• Cranial nerves are head’s equivalent of spinal
nerves
• Involved in olfaction, sight, hearing,
equilibrium and taste
• Olfactory → telencephalon
• Optic → diencephalon
7. • The rest project to or emerge from brainstem
• Collection of sensory and motor nuclei related
to cranial nerve function at various levels in
brainstem
8. Integrative function
• Complex motor patterns
• Regulation of cardiovascular and respiratory
activity
• Some regulation of consciousness [function of
reticular formation in central core of
brainstem]
