Reticular formation and the Hypothalamus

Reticular formation and the Hypothalamus

This quiz covers lectures on the reticular formation and the hypothalamus. Inputs and outputs to the hypothalamus and control of homeostatic mechanisms will also be assessed.

published on June 18, 2013
1/12

Which of these statements is NOT true regarding the medial tegmental field?

It is important in motor control of oculomotor, head and neck and proximal muscles.
It is the main origin of reticulospinal tract
They are comprised of serotonergic neurons.
It includes the pontine reticular nucleus and gigantocellular nucleus.
2/12

Which nucleus of the hypothalamus do retinal inputs project to?

Supraoptic (SO)
Preoptic (PO)
Suprachiasmatic (SCh)
Paraventricular nucleus (PVN)
3/12

List in order, from medial to lateral, the cytoarchitectural components of the reticular formation.

Parvocellular reticular zone (PRt) --> Intermediate reticular zone -->
Medial tegmental field --> Raphe nuclei
Medial tegmental field --> Raphe nuclei --> Intermediate reticular zone
--> Parvocellular reticular zone.
Raphe nuclei --> Medial tegmental field --> Intermediate reticular zone
--> Parvocellular reticular zone.
Medial tegmental field --> Intermediate reticular zone --> Parvocellular reticular zone --> Raphe nuclei
4/12

Which cytoarchitectural area is responsible for regulating the autonomic nervous system eg. blood pressure, respiration rate?

Intermediate reticular zone
Medial tegmental field
Raphe nuclei
Parvocellular reticular zone
5/12

The limbic system provides a major source of input and output to the hypothalamus. Which of the following components of the limbic system is exclusively an input or an output to the hypothalamus?

Septal nuclei
Olfactory areas
Amygdala
Hippocampus
MD of thalamus
6/12

Which nuclei of the hypothalamus are involved in secretion of factors to the neurohypophysis (posterior pituitary)?

Arcuate nucleus
Suprafornical organ (SFO) and organosum vasculosum of lamina terminalis (OVLT)
Dorsomedial hypothalamus and lateral hypothalamus
Paraventricular nucleus and supraoptic (PVN and SO)
7/12

Which area does NOT correspond with its function?

A9 involved in motor control
B2-3 involved in pain modulation and level setting of motor output
A6 involved in attention/arousal
C1 involved in cranial nerve reflexes of the head
8/12

In response to thirst, inputs come from the kidneys (via AngII), from the heart (via volume receptors) and from OVLT. Where do these inputs first terminate?

Lamina terminalis
Subfornical organ (SFO)
Medial preoptic nucleus (MPO)
Paraventricular nucleus (PVN)
9/12

Which are NOT considered inputs of the hypothalamus? Select all that apply.

Hint: 2 choices
Periaqueductal gray (PAG)
Amygdala
Septal nuclei
DMNX
Solitary nucleus
10/12

In a typical defensive response, inputs from amygdala (regarding threat/fear/anger) project to the DMH/LH. What are the outputs from here? Select all answers that are correct.

Hint: 3 choices
To the cortex via the thalamus.
To the paraventricular nucleus then to the adenohypophysis (CRH), releasing ACTH and production of coritsol
To the periaqueductal gray (PAG) then to the RF and spinal cord.
To the adenohypophysis (CRH), releasing ACTH and production of cortisol
11/12

Which area/nucleus of the reticular formation is important in regulating the sleep/wake cycle?

Ventral tegmental area (VTA)
Raphe magnus
Suprachiasmatic nucleus
Dorsal Raphe
12/12

Suppose there is a sudden increase in blood pressure. There are several steps involved regulating blood pressure via the reticular formation. Select all which are involved.

Hint: 3 choices
Afferents from baroreceptors of the carotid sinus and aortic arch travel via the vagus nerve to the solitary nucleus.
The caudal ventrolateral medulla (CVLM) sends inhibitory GABA outputs to the thoracic spinal cord to reduce vasomotor tone.
The C1 group in the rostral ventrolateral medualla (RVLM) is tonically active and projects directly to the lateral horn of the thoracic spinal cord to mainta...
The caudal ventrolateral medulla (CVLM) sends inhibitory GABA outputs to the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM).
Blood pressure is reduced as RVLM output is decreased to the preganglionic neurons from the thoracic spinal cord, leading to reduced production of renin and ...