Ascending Spinal Tracts

Question 1

The dorsal region receives _____________ fibers.

Answer 1

afferent (SENSORY)

Question 2

The ventral region projects ____________ fibers.

Answer 2

efferent (MOTOR)

Question 3

The cortex regulates the _________________ side of the body.

Answer 3

CONTRALATERAL

Question 4

Sensory fibers _____________________ along their path to the cortex.

Answer 4

decussate

Question 5

Where are the TRISYNAPTIC CIRCUITS located?

Answer 5

1. spinal cord
2. medulla
3. thalamus

Question 6

Sensory information ____________ from the spinal cord to the brain (afferent fibers).

Answer 6

ascends

Question 7

Motor information _____________ from the brain to the spinal cord (efferent fibers).

Answer 7

descends

Question 8

What are the three ascending spinal tracts called?

Answer 8

1. Dorsal columns (pyramids 😑)
2. Spinothalamic tract
3. Spinocerebellar tract

Question 9

What are the names of the two parts of the dorsal colums?

Answer 9

1. fasciculus cuneatus (upper limbs) [WEDGE]
2. fasciculus gracilis (lower limbs)

Question 10

What are the functions of the dorsal columns?

Answer 10

1. touch
2. vibration
3. proprioception
4. stereognosis (ability to recognize shapes by feel)

Question 11

What are the functions of the spinothalamic tract?

Answer 11

pain and temperature

Question 12

What is the function of the spinocerebellar tracts?

Answer 12

proprioceptive information directed to the cerebellum

Question 13

Sensory axons from the lower extremities ascend in the fasciculus ___________________

Answer 13

gracilis (medial)

Question 14

Axons from the upper limbs ascend in the fasciculus ____________________

Answer 14

cuneatus (lateral)

Question 15

The dorsal column fibers decussate at the __________ and ascend through the ________________ to the _______ thalamic nucleus to the _____________________ cortex. 😊

Answer 15

medulla
medial lemniscus
VP
somatosensory

Question 16

Fasciculus cuneatus –> ?

Answer 16

nucleus cuneatus

Question 17

Fasciculus gracilis –> ?

Answer 17

nucleus gracilis

Question 18

Spinothalamic tract sensory neurons synapse in the _____________________ in the _________ horn.

Answer 18

substantia gelatinosa
dorsal horn

Question 19

The spinothalamic tract’s 2nd order neurons extend ____________________ axons to the ___________________ side of the _________________ spine.

Answer 19

decussated
contralateral
ventrolateral

Question 20

Spinocerebellar tract pathways provide ______________________ info to the _____________________ cerebellum.

Answer 20

proprioceptive
ipsilateral

Question 21

What are the names of the 2 neurons in involves in the spinocerebellar tract:

Answer 21

1. anterior/ventral
2. posterior/dorsal

Question 22

The anterior/ventral tracts ________________ twice.

Answer 22

decussate

Question 23

The anterior/ventral spinocerebellar tract enters the cerebellum through the ______________________.

Answer 23

superior peduncle

Question 24

The posterior/dorsal spinocerebellar tract remain IPSILATERAL OR CONTRALATERAL.

Answer 24

IPSILATERAL

Question 25

The posterior/dorsal spinocerebellar tract enters the cerebellum through the ______________________.

Answer 25

inferior peduncle

Question 26

ANTERIOR/VENTRAL SPINOCEREBELLAR:
neurons synapse with ________________ neurons, whose axons decussate in the ________________, ascend _______________and enter the ____________, where they decussate again

Answer 26

Clarke’s column
spinal cord
contralaterally
cerebellum

Question 27

POSTERIOR/DORSAL SPINOCEREBELLAR:
neurons synapse with _____________ neurons whose fibers remain ______________ and enter the _____________ cerebellum

Answer 27

Clarke’s column
ipsilateral
ipsilateral