Ascending and Descending Pathways Flashcards

1
Q

How many neurons are involved in the ascending sensory tracts?

A

3

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2
Q

How many neurons are involved in the corticospinal and corticobulbar descending motor tracts?

A

2

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3
Q

What type of fibres carry information from mechanoreceptors in the skin through the medial lemniscal pathway to the brainstem?

A

A-beta fibres

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4
Q

A-beta fibres carry sensory information from mechanoreceptors in the skin. Give examples of types of mechanoreceptors?

A
Meissner's corpuscle
Merkel discs
Hair follicle receptors
Pacinian corpuscle
Ruffini's endings
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5
Q

A-beta fibres from mechanoreceptors in the skin give of a branch to the dorsal horn before continuing through the dorsal columns to the brainstem. T/F?

A

True

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6
Q

What is the name of the nucleus at which A-beta fibres synapse with the secondary neuron in the medial lemniscal ascending pathway?

A

Gracile nucleus

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7
Q

What is the name of the nucleus in the thalamus where fibres in the dorsal column tract synapse with tertiary neurons?

A

VPL of thalamus

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8
Q

At what point in the dorsal column pathway do the fibres decussate to the contralateral side?

A

At the synapse between primary and secondary neurons in the brainstem

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9
Q

What is the name for the part of the secondary neuron in the dorsal column tract which crosses to the contralateral side of the tract?

A

Internal arcuate fibres

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10
Q

What is the role of the territory neuron in the ascending tracts?

A

To transmit sensory information from the thalamus, through the internal capsule, to the sensory cortex

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11
Q

What type of fibres make up the primary neuron of the spinothalamic ascending pathway?

A

A-delta and C fibres

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12
Q

At what level of the spinothalamic tract do neurons decussate to the contralateral side of the tract?

A

At the synapse between the primary and secondary neuron in the spinal cord

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13
Q

The secondary neuron decussates and ascends to the brainstem via which column of the spinal cord in the spinothalamic tract?

A

Antero-lateral column

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14
Q

The secondary neuron of the spinothalamic tract travels through the brainstem - what is its name at this point?

A

Spinal lemniscus

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15
Q

Which descending tracts are responsible for voluntary movement?

A

Corticospinal and corticobulbar tracts

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16
Q

At which point does the upper motor neuron of the corticobulbar tract synapse with the lower motor neuron?

A

Brainstem

17
Q

Which descending tract is responsible for innervation of the cranial nerves?

A

Corticobulbar tract

18
Q

Which cranial nerves have bilateral nuclei in the corticobulbar tract?

A

Trigeminal nerve
Facial nerve
Vagus nerve
Hypoglossal nerve

19
Q

The upper motor neuron of the corticospinal tract synapses with the lower motor neuron in the medulla. What percentage of these upper motor neurons will decussate to synapse with lower motor neurons on the contralateral side of the tract?

A

85%

20
Q

The upper motor neuron of the corticospinal tract synapses with the lower motor neuron in the medulla. What percentage of these upper motor neurons will synapse with lower motor neurons on the ipsilateral side of the tract?

A

15%

21
Q

What is the name for the portion of the corticopsinal tract through which lower motor neurons descend on the ipsilateral side to the upper motor neuron?

A

Anterior corticospinal tract

22
Q

What is the name for the portion of the corticopsinal tract through which lower motor neurons descend on the contralateral side to the upper motor neuron?

A

Lateral corticospinal tract

23
Q

Through which segments of the spinal cord does the anterior corticospinal tract descend?

A

Cervical and mid-thoracic

24
Q

The reticulospinal tract is important for the maintenance of balance. Fibres from which point in the brain innervate the extensors?

A

Pons

25
Q

The reticulospinal tract is important for the maintenance of balance. Fibres from which point in the brain innervate the flexors?

A

Medulla

26
Q

What is the name of the descending pathway, responsible for the maintenance of balance of posture, which originates from Dieter’s nucleus?

A

Ventromedial pathway

27
Q

The tectospinal pathway is important for the maintenance of balance and posture. Where in the brain does this pathway orignate?

A

Contralateral superior colliculus

28
Q

The tectospinal pathway is important for the maintenance of balance and posture. To which spinal segments does this tract project to?

A

Cervical

29
Q

In the dorsal column pathway, what nucleus of the medulla does sensory input from the leg and lower trunk travel to?

A

Gracile nucleus

30
Q

In the dorsal column pathway, what nucleus of the medulla does sensory input from the arm, upper trunk and neck travel to?

A

Cuneate nucleus

31
Q

In which nucleus of the thalamus does information from the dorsal column tract synapse at?

A

Ventroposteriolateral Nucleus

32
Q

Along which ascending tract does proprioceptive information travel?

A

Spinocerebellar

33
Q

Information about body movements is carried in Clarke’s column through to the cerebellum through the inferior cerebellar peduncle. T/F?

A

True

34
Q

Which cranial nerves provide innervation to the parasympathetic nervous system?

A

3, 7, 9 and 10