Ascending Tracts Flashcards
Name the 2 conscious ascending pathways
- DCML
2. Anteriolateral system
Name the unconscious sensation pathway
Spinocerebellar tracts
Name the 2 anterolateral system tracts
- Anterior spinothalamic tract
2. Lateral spinothalamic tract
What does the DCML sense?
Fine touch, vibration and conscious proprioception
What does the 2 spinothalamic tracts sense?
- Anterior = crude touch and pressure
2. Lateral = pain and temperature
What are the 4 spinocerebellar tracts?
- Posterior spinocerebellar tract
- Cuneocerebellar tract
- Anterior spinocerebellar tract
- Rostral spinocerebellar tract
What do the spinocerebellar tracts sense?
Unconscious proprioception:
- Posterior and anterior - lower limb
- Cuneocerebellar + rostral - upper limb
Which of the spinocerebellar tracts decussate twice?
Anterior spinocerebellar
What level would correspond to the nucleus cuteatus?
T6 and above
Describe the pathway of the DCML tract
1st order neurone:
- T6 and above travel in lateral part of dorsal column (fasciculus cuteatus)
- Below T6 travels in medial part (fasciculus gracilis)
2nd order neurone:
- Synapse at corresponding nuclei (gracilis or cuteatus) within the medulla oblongata
- Decussate here and synapse in contralateral medial lemniscus
3rd order neurone:
- Travel from thalamus to the ipsilateral primary sensory cortex
Describe the pathway of the anterolateral system
1st order neurone:
- Peripheral sense enters the spinal cord
- Ascends 1/2 levels
- Synapses at tip of dorsal horn at substantia gelantinosa
2nd order neurone:
- Decussate within spinal cord
- Join appropriate tract (anterior or lateral spinothalamic)
- Synapse within thalamus
3rd order neurone:
- From thalamus travel to ipsilateral primary sensory cortex
Describe the journey of the spinocerebellar tracts
All synapse ipsilaterally
