Page 2004 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

1. Midbrain
a. Responsible for motor coordination

b. Contains the visual reflex and

auditory relay centers
2. Pons: Contains the respiratory centers and regulates
breathing
3. Medulla oblongata
a. Contains all afferent and efferent tracts
and cardiac, respiratory, vomiting, and
vasomotor centers
b. Controls heart rate, respiration, blood
vessel diameter, sneezing, swallowing,
vomiting, and coughing
F. Cerebellum: Coordinates muscle movement, posture, equilibrium,
and muscle tone
G. Spinal cord
1. Provides neuron and synapse networks to produce
involuntary responses to sensory stimulation
2. Controls body movement and regulates visceral
function
3. Carries sensory information to and motor information
from the brain
4. Extends from the first cervical to the second lumbar
vertebra
5. Protected by the meninges, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF),
and adipose tissue
6. Horns
a. Inner column of gray matter; contains 2
anterior and 2 posterior horns
b. Posterior horns connect with afferent
(sensory) nerve fibers.
c. Anterior horns contain efferent (motor)
nerve fibers.
7. Nerve tracts
a. White matter contains the nerve tracts.
b. Ascending tracts (sensory pathway)
c. Descending tracts (motor pathway)
H. Meninges
1. The dura mater is a tough and fibrous membrane.
2. The arachnoid membrane is a delicate membrane and
contains CSF.
3. The pia mater is a vascular membrane.
4. The subarachnoid space is formed by the arachnoid
membrane and the pia mater.

I. CSF

2004