Ascending & Descending Tracts Flashcards
Ascending tract =
sensory info (pain) from body up SC to the brain
Descending tract =
motor info from brain down to SC to arm
What is the mnemonic for lateral spinothalamic tract?
Pa-Te-La” (Pain, Temperature via Lateral spinothalamic)
Lateral Spinothalamic tract
The fibers enter the spinal cord from the posterior root ganglion and reach the posterior gray column where they divide into ascending and descending branches.
Is corticospinal tract ascending or descending?
Descending = it contains fibers from the upper motor neurons to synapse on the lower motor neurons
Spinothalamic tract is
ascending tract
Anterior spinothalamic tract carries what sensation?
Anterior spinothalamic tract carries the sensations of pressure and crude touch
Lateral spinothalamic tract carries what sensation?
The lateral carries pain and temperature sensation
Where do spinothalamic anterior and lateral decussate?
These pathways decussate at the level of the spinal cord.
Where do the gracilis and cuneatus decussate?
Gracilis = lower limb (below T6)
Cuneatus = upper limb (above T6)
They decussate at medulla
Ipsilateral movement
Reticulospinal tract is descending and is medial and travels
Reticular formation -> SC
Uses wide range of info to maintain
muscular tone
Tectospinal tract travels via colliculi and uses information concering
Uses info concerning movement
(visual) and noise
Superior colliculus – visual info
Inferior colliculus – auditory info
Vestibulospinal tract is responsive to senses (voluntary)
Vestibular nuclei –> SC
Uses info concerning position
and movement of head
Rubrospinal tract
Cortex-> red nucleus -> spinal ventral horn
Movements associated
with distal upper limbs
Extrapyramidal tracts means
Originates in the brainstem, carrying motor fibres to the spinal cord. They are responsible for the unconscious, reflexive or responsive control of musculature, eg muscle tone, balance, posture and locomotion.
