Ascending And Descending Tracts

Question 1

Where do ascending tracts carry information and what information

Answer 1

Ascending tracts carry sensory information from the body to the brain

Question 2

What’s the dorsal column medial lemniscus tract

Answer 2

This tract transmits sensation like fine touch, vibration and proprioception from the body. It starts from sensory receptors in the skin and joints, ascends through the spinal chord and crosses to the other side in the medulla before reaching the thalamus and then the somatosensory cortex

Question 3

What’s the spinothalamic tract

Answer 3

This tract carries the sensation of pain and temperature and crude touch sensation. The pathway starts in the skin and sends signals to the spinal chord, ascending through the brain stem and terminates in the thalamus

Question 4

What is the spinocerebellar tract

Answer 4

This tract conveys proprioceptive information to the cerebellum for coordination and balance. Proprioceptive muscles in the muscles and joint send signals to the spinal cord. This tract may or may not cross

Question 5

What are descending tracts

Answer 5

These tracts carry information from the brain to the body

Question 6

What is the corticospinal tract

Answer 6

This tract controls voluntary movements, especially fine motor skills. Pathway begins in the motor cortex of the brain and descends through the brain stem and spinal cord. Most fibres cross the opposite side at the level of the medulla, but some remain on the same side

Question 7

What is the rubrospinal tract

Answer 7

Involved in motor control, particularly in regulating muscle tone and movement. Originated in the red nucleus of the midbrain and crosses to the opposite side and descends to the spinal chord

Question 8

What is the reticulospinal tract

Answer 8

Influences voluntary movements, reflex activity and muscle tone. It begins at the reticular formation of the brain stem and descends bilaterally to the spinal chord

Question 9

What is the vestibulospinal tract

Answer 9

This tract maintains balance and posture: originates in the vestibular nuclei in the brain stem and descends through the spinal cord. The tract is mostly ipsilateral and affects proximal and axial muscles

Question 10

What is the tectospinal tract

Answer 10

Coordinates head and eye movements in response to visual and auditory stimuli. It begins in the superior colliculus of the midbrain and crosses to the opposite side before descending to the cervical spinal chord