Page 228 - Critical Care Nursing Demystified

Chapter 5 CARE OF THE PATIENT WITH NEUROLOGICAL NEEDS 213

TABLE 5–1 Components of the Brain (Continued )
Location Function
Pons Between midbrain and Responsible for respiratory regula-
medulla tion. Contains two control centers:
apneuistic and pneumotaxic.
Apneuistic controls length of
inspiration and expiration.
Pneumotaxic center controls the
respiratory rate.
Medulla Between the pons and Regulates vital functions of
the spinal cord breathing and heart rate as well as
reflexes such as sneezing, vomit-
ing, and gagging.
Brainstem Located in the inferior 10 of the 12 cranial nerves originate
surface of the brain from the brainstem. The brainstem
also regulates respirations.
Cerebellum Known as “little brain” or Coordinates skeletal muscle
(little or hind “hind brain” because it is actions, maintains balance, and
brain) 1/5 the size of the brain. controls posture. Involved in motor
Located in the posterior/ learning. Cerebellar disturbances
inferior head region. can produce tremors, ataxia, and
Composed of a cortex of equilibrium problems. Downloaded by [ Faculty of Nursing, Chiangmai University 5.62.158.117] at [07/18/16]. Copyright © McGraw-Hill Global Education Holdings, LLC. Not to be redistributed or modified in any way without permission.
gray matter and a core of
white matter

Central fissure
Frontal lobe (Rolando)
Parietal
lobe
Lateral
fissure
(Sylvian)

Parietooccipital
fissure

Occipital
Temporal lobe
lobe
Pons Cerebellum
Medulla

FIGURE 5–1 • Brain.