Ascending and Descending tracts Flashcards
What are the ascending tracts of the spinal cord?
The anterolateral pathways
The posterior column-medial lemniscal pathway
Where does the anterolateral pathway decussate?
In the spinal cord
Where does the posterior column-medial lemniscal pathway decussate?
In the medulla
What are the 3 tracts of the anterolateral pathways?
- Spinothalamic
- Spinoreticular
- Spinomesencephalic
Where does the Spinothalamic tract transmit to?
The thalamus
Where does the Spinoreticular tract transmit to?
The reticular formation of the brainstem
Where does the Spinomesencephalic tract transmit to?
The periaqueductal grey matter and superior colliculi in the midbrain
What does the Spinoreticular tract convey?
Emotional and arousal aspect of pain
What does the Spinomesencephaic tract convey?
The central modulation of pain
What are the systems of the descending pathways of the spinal cord?
- The Lateral Motor System
2. The Medial Motor System
What are the tracts of the Lateral Motor Systems?
- The Lateral Corticospinal Tract
2. The Rubrospinal Tract
What is the Lateral Corticospinal Tract responsible for?
Controlling movement of the upper and lower extremities
Where does the Lateral Corticospinal Tract decussate?
In the spinal cord
What is the Rubrospinal Tract responsible for?
Facilitating flexor muscle activity and inhibiting extensor muscle activity of the upper limbs
Where does the Rubrospinal Tract decussate?
In the midbrain
What are the tracts of the Medial Motor Systems?
- Anterior Corticospinal Tract
- Tectospinal Tract
- Vestibulospinal Tract
- Reticulospinal Tract
What is the Anterior Corticospinal Tract responsible for?
Control of bilateral axial and girdle muscles
What is the Vestibulospinal Tract responsible for?
Medial VST: Positioning of the head and neck
Lateral VT: Balance
What is the Reticulospinal Tract responsible for?
Automatic posture and gait-related movements
What is the Tectospinal Tract responsible for?
Coordination of the head and eye movements
Where are the descending tracts of the brainstem located?
The inferior part of the midbrain
What are the descending pathways of the brain stem?
- Corticospinal tract
- Corticonuclear/corticobulbar tract
- Corticopontine tract
What is the function of the corticonuclear/corticobulbar tract?
To transmit nerve signals from the brain to the cranial nerves
What is the function of the corticospinal tract?
To transmit nerve signals from the brain to the spinal cord
