8.8. Supraspinal regulation of muscle functions. Postural reflexes. Flashcards
I. Supraspinal motor control
1. What are the features of Supraspinal motor control?
- Supraspinal motor control is based in the medulla, midbrain, cerebellum + basal ganglia and the motor cortex
- The movement can be conscious (lateral pathways) or unconscious (medial pathways).
***Pyramidal + extrapyramidal system terminology is not used here.
II. Major pathways connecting the brainstem and cortex with the spinal cord
1. What are the 2 Major pathways connecting the brainstem and cortex with the spinal cord?
- Lateral pathways: in the lateral funiculus of the spinal cord. Control conscious manipulation and movement coordination
- Medial pathways: in the ventral funiculus of the spinal cord. Deals more with postural reflexes via axial muscles, coordination etc.
II. Major pathways connecting the brainstem and cortex with the spinal cord
2. What are the location and function of lateral pathways?
- in the lateral funiculus of the spinal cord.
- Control conscious manipulation and movement coordination
II. Major pathways connecting the brainstem and cortex with the spinal cord - lateral pathways
3A. What are the 3 main lateral pathways?
- Lateral corticospinal tract (80%)
- Rubrospinal tract
- Lateral corticobulbar tract
II. Major pathways connecting the brainstem and cortex with the spinal cord - lateral pathways
3B. What are the features of Lateral corticospinal tract (80%)?
- pyramidal decussation.
- Can have direct or indirect synapse with an α-motor neuron, unique to humans/chimps
II. Major pathways connecting the brainstem and cortex with the spinal cord - lateral pathways
3C. What are the features of Rubrospinal tract?
- From red nucleus to the spinal cord.
- Innervates neck muscles + (some) large arm muscles -> flexor reflexes in upper limb
II. Major pathways connecting the brainstem and cortex with the spinal cord - lateral pathways
3D. What are the features of Lateral corticobulbar tract
Lateral corticobulbar tract: innervates lower face + tongue
II. Major pathways connecting the brainstem and cortex with the spinal cord
4A. What are the feature and location of medial pathways?
- In the ventral funiculus of the spinal cord.
- Deals more with postural reflexes via axial muscles, coordination etc.
II. Major pathways connecting the brainstem and cortex with the spinal cord - medial pathways
5A. What are the 6 main medial pathways?
II. Major pathways connecting the brainstem and cortex with the spinal cord - medial pathways
5B. What are the features of anterior corticospinal tract?
- Corticospinal tract (20%)
- Uncrossed.
- Innervates medially located muscles (activatebilaterally)
II. Major pathways connecting the brainstem and cortex with the spinal cord - medial pathways
5C. What are the features of Vestibulospinal tract?
- Lateral part gets afferentation from semicircular organs
- medial part gets afferentation from otoliths + SC organs
II. Major pathways connecting the brainstem and cortex with the spinal cord - medial pathways
5D. What are the features of Vestibulospinal tract?
mostly excitatory
II. Major pathways connecting the brainstem and cortex with the spinal cord - medial pathways
5E. What are the features of Medullary-reticulospinal tract?
mostly inhibitory
II. Major pathways connecting the brainstem and cortex with the spinal cord - medial pathways
5F. What are the features of Tectospinal tract?
- From superior colliculus to spinal cord.
- Vision + sound stimulus
II. Major pathways connecting the brainstem and cortex with the spinal cord - Reticular and vestibular nuclei in the brainstem
6. What are the main features of Reticular and vestibular nuclei in the brainstem?
- There are several nuclei in the brainstem which can affect the movement of our body
- The brainstem likes to excite motor neurons + interneurons -> get rigidity in the musculature