1 Flashcards
Purpose of the DCML pathway
Touch and proprioception of the limbs
Location of the first order neuron cell body in the DCML pathway
Dorsal Root Ganglion
Location of the second order neuron cell body in the DCML pathway
dorsal column nuclei
Location of the third order neuron cell body in the DCML pathway
Ventral Posterior Lateral nucleus
Location of first order neuron synapse in the DCML pathway
Caudal Medulla
Location of the second order neuron synapse in the DCML pathway
Thalamus
Location of the third order neuron synapse in the DCLM pathway
Primary somatosensory cortex
How does the medial lemniscus change from the medulla to the midbrain
Anterior –> Lateral –> Posterior
Posterior –> Medial –> Anterior
Location of the first order neuron cell body in the anterolateral pathway
Dorsal Root Ganglion
Location of the second order neuron cell body in the anterolateral pathway
Rexed Lamina II - Substantia Gelatinosa
Location of the third order neuron cell bodies in the anterolateral pathway
Ventral Posterior Lateral (VPL) nucleus - primary somatosensory cortex
Ventral Medial Posterior (VP) nucleus - insular cortex
Medial Dorsal (MD) nucleus - cingulate gyrus
Location of second order synapse in the Spinoreticular system
Caudal Pons - on the reticular formation, response for the subconscious response to pain
Location of the second order neuron synapse in the spinomesencephalic system
Rostral Midbrain - superior colliculus (responsible for coordinating head, neck and eye movement) and the periaqueductal grey matter (involved in the descending pathway for turning down pain signal)
Where do the large diameter afferent fibers enter the spinal cord in relation to the small diameter afferent fibers
Large diameter afferents = Group I and II (A-alpha and A-beta) (myelinated) sensory afferents enter medially
Small diameter afferents = Group III (A-delta) and IV (C) (some myelinated, most not) sensory afferents enter laterally and pass through Lissauer’s tract
What do the Rexed Lamina I-VI represent
Located in the dorsal horn of the spinal grey matter
Area contains sensory relay neurons
What do the Rexed Lamina VII-IX represent
Located in the ventral horn of the spinal grey matter
Area contains motor neurons supplying muscles in the limbs, trunks and organs
Size of this area corresponds to the spinal level - larger at limb level (lumbar and cervical), small at trunk (thoracic)
What is the function of the lateral corticospinal tract
unilateral control of limbs
What is the function of of the ventral (anterior) corticospinal tract
bilateral control of the trunk
What is the function of the rubrospinal tract
upper limb control
What is the function of the reticulospinal tract
muscle tone
reflexes
body posture
What is the function of the tectospinal tract
controls coordination of head and neck with eye movements
What is the function of the vestibulospinal pathways
controls antigravity actions - balance
What is the origin of the corticospinal tracts
primary motor cortex (pre-central gyrus)
What is the origin of the rubrospinal tract
red nucleus in the tegmental region of the midbrain
What is the origin of the reticulospinal tract
pontine reticular formation and medullary reticular formation
What is the origin of the tectospinal tract
superior colliculus
What is the origin of the vestibulospinal tract
medial and lateral vestibular nuclei
Is there decussation in the lateral corticospinal tract
Yes - decussation of the pyramids in the caudal medulla
Is there decussation in the ventral corticospinal tract
No - bifurcates at the spinal cord level
Is there decussation in the rubrospinal tract
Yes - immediately at midbrain
Is there decussation in the reticulospinal tract
No
Is there decussation in the tectospinal tract
Yes - immediately at midbrain
Is there decussation in the vestibulospinal tract
No
What is the destination in the lateral corticospinal tract
Lateral ventral horn
What is the destination in the ventral corticospinal tract
Medial ventral horns
What is the destination in the rubrospinal tract
Lateral ventral horn
What is the destination in the reticulospinal tract
Medial ventral horn
What is the destination in the tectospinal tract
Medial ventral horn
What is the destination in the vestibulospinal tract
Medial ventral horn
