02a: SC Pathways Flashcards
Ascending tracts to cortex typically have (X) number of neurons.
X = 3
Ascending tracts to cerebellum typically have (X) number of neurons.
X = 2
First order neurons for DCML pathway are in:
DRG
DCML carries which (sensory/motor) signals?
Sensory;
- Discriminative touch
- Joint position
- Pressure and vibration
DCML afferent fibers are (myelinated/unmyelinated) and (slow/fast).
(Highly) myelinated; fast
Dorsal column fibers (for DCML path) are arranged into which tracts? Star the most medial tract.
- Fasciculus Gracilis*
2. Fasciculus Cuneatus
Fasciculus gracilis for (X) SC tract fibers is located at which SC levels?
X = DCML (for lower body, below T6)
All SC levels
Fasciculus cuneatus for (X) SC tract fibers is located at which SC levels?
X = DCML (for upper body, T6 and above)
At T6 and above
Posterior intermediate sulcus found at which SC levels? What does it separate?
T6 and above;
Fasciculi gracilis and cuneatus
(X) and (Y), collectively called dorsal column nuclei, are located in:
X = nucleus gracilis Y = nucleus cuneatus
Caudal medulla
Where do first-order DCML fibers synapse?
Dorsal column nuclei (medulla)
Where does the DCML pathway decussate?
Caudal medulla
Following decussation in (X), the DCML (1/2/3)-order neurons form pathway called (Y).
X = caudal medulla
2-order;
Y = medial lemniscus
Axons in medial lemniscus synapse in (X).
X = VPL nucleus of thalamus
DCML third order neurons travel from (X) to (Y).
X = VPL thalamus Y = somatosensory cortex (parietal lobe)
Spinothalamic tract, part of (X) system, carries which (sensory/motor) signals?
X = anterolateral;
Sensory;
Pain and T
Spinothalamic afferent fibers are (myelinated/unmyelinated) and (slow/fast).
Unmyelinated; Slow
First order neurons for ST pathway are in:
DRG
Lissauer’s tract carries (1/2/3)-order neurons from (X) pathway. Projections travel (up/down/across) to (Y).
1st order;
X = ST
Up and down;
Y = 2-3 SC segments rostral and caudal to DRG
Where is Lissauer’s tract located in SC cross-section?
White matter that caps the dorsal horn
Central process of ST tract synapses within (X), aka Rexed’s lamina (Y).
X = substantia gelatinosa Y = 2
Second order neurons of ST tract are located in (X) area and their dendrites extend to (Y) area.
X =
- Nucleus postero-marginalis
- Nucleus propius
Y = substantia gelatinosa
Nucleus postero-marginalis is Rexed’s lamina (X).
X = 1
Post-synpatic processes in substantia gelatinosa belong to (1/2/3)-order neurons for (X) tract.
2nd order;
X = ST
Where do (1/2/3)-order neurons of the ST pathway decussate?
2nd order;
Anterior white commissure (of SC)
Following decussation in (X), the ST (1/2/3)-order neurons form pathway called (Y) that turns (rostrally/caudally).
X = SC
2nd;
Y = spinothalamic;
Rostrally
ST neurons ascend in (X) part of SC to finally synapse onto third order neurons in (Y).
X = anterior portion of lateral funiculus Y = VPL of thalamus
ST third order neurons travel from (X) to (Y).
X = VPL thalamus Y = somatosensory cortex (parietal lobe)
Which paths carry fast versus slow pain? Where are their thalamic nuclei?
Fast: neospinothalamic (VPL)
Slow: Paleospinothalamic (centromedian nucleus)
List the tracts that carry muscle sense information about individual muscles.
- Cuneocerebellar (above C8)
2. Dorsal spinocerebellar (C8 and below)
List the tracts that carry muscle sense information about whole limbs.
- Rostral spinocerebellar (upper limb)
2. Ventral spinocerebellar (lower limb)
In general, spinocerebellar tract carries (X) info to (Y), which then sends it to (Z).
X = muscle sense Y = cerebellum Z = cerebral cortex
(X) tract muscle sense information doesn’t reach consciousness.
X = dorsal spinocerebellar
Dorsal spinocerebellar afferent fibers are (myelinated/unmyelinated) and (slow/fast).
(Highly) myelinated; fast
Central processes of first order neurons of dorsal spinocerebellar tract synapse in (X), aka Rexed’s lamina (Y).
X = Clarke's nucleus Y = 7
Clarke’s nucleus is present at which SC levels?
C8-L3
How does (X) information below (Y) SC level reach Clarke’s nucleus?
X = muscle sense; Y = L3
Travels upward in lateral portion of fasciculus gracilis until reaches appropriate SC level
Second-order neurons from dorsal spinocerebellar tract originate from (X) and travel (upward/downward) along which region of SC?
X = Clarke’s nucleus
Upward;
Lateral, dorsal margin of white matter
Destination of second order neurons of dorsal spinocerebellar tract is (X). They enter via (Y).
X = cerebellum Y = inferior cerebellar peduncle
Where does the dorsal spinocerebellar pathway decussate?
Doesn’t decussate
How does (X) information above (Y) SC level reach Clarke’s nucleus?
X = muscle sense Y = C8
Doesn’t use Clarke’s nucleus
First-order neurons of cuneocerebellar tract (ascend/descend) in (X) until they reach (Y) for synapse.
Ascend;
X = lateral portion of fasciculus cuneatus
Y = external cuneate nucleus
Origin of second order neurons of cuneocerebellar tract is (X). Destination is (Y). They enter via (Z).
X = external cuneate nucleus Y = cerebellum Z = inferior cerebellar peduncle
Ventral spinocerebellar afferent fibers are (myelinated/unmyelinated) and (slow/fast).
(Highly) myelinated; fast
Second-order axons of ventral spinocerebellar tract originate from (X), aka Rexed Laminae (Y).
X = Spinal border cells; Y = 5 and 7
Where do (1/2/3)-order neurons of the ventral spinocerebellar pathway decussate?
2nd order;
- Anterior white commissure of SC
- Superior cerebellar peduncle
Ventral spinocerebellar pathway: following decussation, (1/2/3)-order axons travel (across/rostrally/caudally) along which region of (SC/brainstem)?
2nd order; rostrally;
Along anterolateral region of lateral funiculus (SC)
(1/2/3)-order neurons of ventral spinocerebellar pathway reach final destination in (X) by traveling through (Y).
2nd order;
X = cerebellum
Y = superior cerebellar peduncle
Analog of ventral spinocerebellar tract, but for (X) information from (Y), is the (Z) tract.
X = muscle sense; Y = upper limb Z = rostal spinocerebellar
Where do (1/2/3)-order neurons of the rostral spinocerebellar pathway decussate?
No decussation
(1/2/3)-order neurons of rostral spinocerebellar pathway reach final destination in (X) by traveling through (Y).
2nd order;
X = cerebellum
Y = inferior cerebellar peduncle
Largest descending SC tract, (X) tract, function.
X = corticospinal;
Execution/control of voluntary movement
Corticospinal tract originates in (X).
X = primary motor and pre-motor cortices
Corticospinal axons are (myelinated/unmyelinated).
Myelinated
List path of axons for corticospinal tract (prior to decussation).
- Primary/pre-motor cortices
- Internal capsule
- Cerebral peduncle
- Pons
- Pyramids
Most, (X)%, fibers of corticospinal tract decussate at (Y). Where do the rest decussate?
X = 75-90 Y = pyramidal decussation (caudal medulla)
Don’t decussate
Due to partial decussation of fibers from (X) descending tract, two SC tracts are formed. List them.
X = corticospinal;
- Lateral corticospinal
- Anterior corticospinal
Lateral corticospinal tract present in which SC segments?
All
Anterior corticospinal tract present in which SC segments?
Segments above lower thoracic levels
Lateral corticospinal tract primarily involved in control of (proximal/distal) muscles.
Distal
Anterior corticospinal tract primarily involved in control of (proximal/distal) muscles.
Proximal (axial/paravertebral)
Lateral corticospinal tract descends in which region of SC?
Lateral funiculus
Lateral corticospinal tract innervates (ipsi/contra)lateral muscles.
Contralateral
Anterior corticospinal tract descends in which region of SC?
Adjacent to anterior median fissure (ventral white matter)
Anterior corticospinal tract innervates (ipsi/contra)lateral muscles.
Both (bilateral termination)
Fasciculus proprius is (grey/white) matter with which function(s)?
White;
Coordinates info within SC segment (intrasegmental)
Anterior spinal artery arises from:
Vertebral arteries
Posterior spinal artery arises from:
Vertebral arteries
Aside from spinal arteries, SC gets blood from (X), especially which artery?
X = radicular;
Great Radicular Artery of Adamkiewicz
Rubrospinal tract originates in (X) and carries (Y) information to (Z).
X = red nucleus of midbrain Y = motor control Z = distal flexor muscles
Where does rubrospinal tract decussate?
midbrain
Tectospinal tract originates in (X) and carries (Y) information to (Z).
X = superior colliculus Y = motor command (in response to visual stimuli) Z = muscles that move head/eyes
Lateral vestibulospinal tract originates in (X) and carries (Y) information to (Z).
X = vestibular nuclei Y = motor command Z = SC neurons that govern posture (mainly extensors)
Where does lateral vestibulospinal tract decussate?
No decussation
Medial vestibulospinal tract originates in (X) and carries (Y) information to (Z).
X = vestibular nuclei Y = motor command (in response to vestibular stimuli) Z = muscles that adjust head position
Medial vestibulospinal tract projects to which SC levels?
Primarily cervical and maybe thoracic
Medial vestibulospinal tract projects to (ipsi/contra)lateral side.
Bilateral
Lateral vestibulospinal tract projects to (ipsi/contra)lateral side.
Ipsilateral
Analog of medial vestibulospinal tract in the head is called (X). This tract projects to CN nuclei (Y) for what reason?
X = medial longitudinal fasciculus
Y = CN 3, 4, 6, and 11
Adjust eye movements as head moves