Ascending Tracts Flashcards
Conscious ascending tracts
Dorsal column-medial lemniscal
Anterolateral system
Unconscious ascending tracts
Spinocerebellar tracts
Function of dorsal column-medial lemniscal pathway
Carries fine touch, vibration and proprioception
2 different pathways of dorsal column-medial lemniscal pathway first order neurons
Signals from upper limb (T6 and above)
Signals from lower limb (below T6)
dorsal column-medial lemniscal pathway signals from upper limb
Travel in fasciculus cuneatus (lateral part of dorsal column)
Synapse in nucleus cuneatus of medulla
dorsal column-medial lemniscal pathway signals from lower limb
Travel in fasciculus gracilis (medial part of dorsal column)
Synapse in nucleus gracilis of medulla
Where do the dorsal column-medial lemniscal pathway first order neurons synapse
Medulla
Where is the Fasciculus gracilis
Medial part of dorsal column
Where is the Fasciculus cuneatus
Lateral part of dorsal column
Where do the second order neurones of the dorsal column-medial lemniscal pathway decussate
Medulla
dorsal column-medial lemniscal pathway second order neurones
Begin in cuneate or gracilis nucleus
Decussate and travel in the contralateral medial lemniscus
Synapse at thalamus
Where do the 2nd order neurons meet the 3rd order neurons of the dorsal column-medial lemniscal pathway
Thalamsu
What do the 2nd order neurons of the dorsal column-medial lemniscal pathway travel to the thalamus in
Contralateral medial lemniscus
dorsal column-medial lemniscal pathway third order neurons
transmit the sensory signals from the thalamus to the ipsilateral primary sensory cortex of the brain
ascend from the ventral posterolateral nucleus of the thalamus, travel through the internal capsule and terminate at the sensory cortex.
Where do the third order neurons of the dorsal column-medial lemniscal pathway terminate
Sensory cortex
Where does the third order neurons of the dorsal column-medial lemniscal pathway travel through
Ventral posterolateral nucleus of thalamus
Internal capsule
To sensory cortex
2 parts of the Anterolateral system
Anterior Spinothalamic tract
Lateral Spinothalamic tract
Function of anterior Spinothalamic tract
Crude touch and pressure
Function of lateral Spinothalamic tract
Pain and temperature
Anterolateral system first order neurons
arise from the sensory receptors in the periphery.
They enter the spinal cord, ascend 1-2 vertebral levels, and synapse at the tip of the dorsal horn – an area known as the substantia gelatinosa.