Ch 19 + 20 - Neuroanatomy Flashcards
the term pyramidal tract refers to fibers in the pyramids on the anterior surface of the __ of the brainstem
medulla
as the fibers of the left pyramidal tract descend, most of them __ the midline in the lower medulla and enter the __ tract on the __ side
cross (decussate); lateral corticospinal; opposite (contralateral)
As labeled, about 10 to 30% of the pyramidal fibers enter the spinal cord uncrossed as the __ corticospinal tracts arise from cell bodies in the cerebral cortex on the __ side
anterior; left
Darken the nerve fibers labeled as ‘A’ over their whole visible length on the diagram. Do all the diagrammed fibers cross the midline within their territory included in the diagram?
no
the decussation of the pyramidal tract extends over several millimeters of the junction area between the __ region of the brainstem and the __. On the diagram indicate with an arrow the level where decussation begins
medulla; spinal cord
The descending fibers marked “X” are beginning to cross from the __ side to the __ side of the medulla
left; right
The pyramidal fibers in level “A” occupy an anterior position in the medulla. By “D: in the lower medulla and upper spinal cord, most of the fibers reach a posterior and lateral position. Between B and C in the pyramidal decussation, the fibers pass from an __ position on one side across the midline in a __ and __ direction
anterior; lateral; posterior
If you look at a transverse section of the medulla from an inferior view (looking up from the spinal cord) the left side of the picture represents the left side of the medulla. If you view the same section of the medulla from a superior view (looking down from the midbrain) the left side of the picture represents the __ side of the medulla
right
Of the three sections labeled A, B, and C, which one shows fibers of the pyramidal tract decussating from the left to the right side of the medulla? __ Decussating from the right to the left side of the medulla? _ At a level above the pyramidal decussation? __
B;C;A
The fibers shown decussating in section A arise mainly in the __ cerebral hemisphere and end in the __ side of the spinal cord
left; right
Look at these two sections of the medulla. The more rostral of the two sections is _ Explain
B; Section B does not show the decussation of the pyramidal tract
As corticospinal fibers descend, bundles of fibers from one side cross the midline alternately with bundles from the other side so that a given transverse section is likely to show the decussation mainly from one side. On the diagram, fivers crossing the medulla from left to right are shown in levels numbered __ and __. Fibers crossing the medulla from right to left are shown in levels numbered __ and __
4;6;5;7
The alternating pyramidal decussations from left to right and right to left give a braided appearance to the __ surface of the lower medulla
anterior
In passing from medulla to spinal cord, corticospinal fibers cross the midline in the __ of the __ tract
decussation; pyramidal
Corticospinal fibers cross in the pyramidal decussation from the __ surface of the medulla to a __ position in the spinal cord
anterior; posterolateral
Label the transition area between the medulla and spinal cord. In the spinal cord, the decussated fivers take up a __ position
posterolateral
Corticospinal fibers arise from cells in the surface gray matter of the cortex, pass into the depths of the cortex, and emerge on the anterior surface of the __ region of the brainstem. They pass inferiorly through the pons and again move toward the anterior surface while in the medulla’s __ tract. The fibers then decussate to a __ position inside the cord. Interruption of corticospinal fibers on one side of the brain at the level of the rostral medulla or above is likely to produce paralysis on the __ side of the body
midbrain; pyramidal; posterolateral; opposite
Corticospinal fibers on the right side of the top diagram are enriched. Identify the level of each section ( L to R)
Spinal cord; inferior medulla; superior medulla; midbrain