Hindbrain - Anatomy & Physiology

Also known as: Rhombencephalon

Introduction

Brain sagittal section stem highlighted

The hind brain is also called the rhombencephalon and is the brain stem that provides the connection between the spinal cord and the rest of the brain. The hind brain contains many vital structures including the Medulla Oblongata, the Pons (the link between the cerebellum, forebrain and mid-brain) and the majority of the cranial nerves, III to XII. In general the brain stem governs essential functions that are carried out sub-consciously via reflexes.

As well as containing numerous cranial nerves, the hind brain also contains many 'extra-pyramidal pathways' which include the reticular formation, the olivary nucleus and the pontine nuclei.

The reticular formation is a diffuse interconnection of neurons running throughout the brain stem receiving both sensory and motor nerve tracts. This information is then passed on to higher centres in the brain such as the cerebrum. One important aspect of the reticular formation is that in order to transition from sleep to consciousness the reticular formation is required to activate the cerebral cortex. It also contains cerebellar pathways and peduncles facilitating a connection from the brain stem to the cerebellum. There are also a number of 'pyramidal pathways' and afferent pathways including the cuneate and gracile pathways.

Nuclei within the hind brain are also responsible for the reflexive control of posture and eye movement.

All elements of the hind brain are derived from the developing rhombencephalon.

Hind Brain Structures & Functions

Medulla Oblongata

The medulla oblongata can be found within the myelencephalon region of the hind-brain. Nuclei in the medulla oblongata control the level of heart activity including rate and contractility. The medulla oblongata also controls other related functions including blood pressure and distribution of blood to different organs. In conjunction with the nuclei found in the pons, the medulla oblongata also exerts an influence on respiratory movements. The respiratory centre in the medulla oblongata is affected by various types of drugs including opioids such as morphine. These types of drugs often suppress the activity of the neurones in the respiratory nuclei.

Pons

The pons can be found in the metencephalon region of the hind brain. As shown above, the pons is able to exert some influence on respiratory movements and can also influence many digestive processes.

Cranial Nerves

Cranial nerves III to XII exit from the brain stem and act to innervate parts of the head, neck, viscera and the thoracic and abdominal cavities. Although most of these nerves contain both sensory and motor fibres, the sensory fibres all have their cell bodies in ganglia outside the brain stem.

Cerebellum

The location of the cerebellum. Image courtesy of BioMed Archive

The cerebellum is located in the caudal part of the cranial cavity and is caudal to the 'tentorium cerebelli' but dorsal to the fourth ventricle. Its gross structure is made up of a central 'vermis' surrounded by two lateral hemispheres. It is attached to the brain stem via three pairs of 'peduncles'; a rostral pair to the midbrain, a middle pair to the pons and a caudal pair to the medulla oblongata. Its internal structure is composed of a cerebellar cortex which is made up of fissures on the surface that divide into lobules and then further sub divide into 'folia' or leaves. There are white matter fibres running to and from this cortex, also called arbor vitae. Within the cerebellum there are various nuclei including the dentate, interpositus and the fastigial.

The generalised function of the cerebellum is to receive information regarding any movement in progress or any intended movement via inputs from the muscles, vestibular system and motor centres of the pyramidal and extrapyramidal systems. The most important function of the cerebellum is to minimise the difference between the intended and the actual movements. The cerebellum then projects corrections regarding these movements to all motor centres of the brain via feed-back circuits between the pyramidal and extrapyramidal systems. It should be noted that the cerebellum cannot initiate movement.