CNS Pathways & ANS Flashcards
Dorsal Columns System
(DC)
Carries afferent epicritic sensation.
Fine touch, vibration sense, proprioception.
Type AπΌ and Aπ½ (or Ia, Ib, and II)
[Lumbar Spinal Cord]
Primary neuron enters via medial division of dorsal root ganglion (DRG).
Carries lower limb information.
Axons form the gracile fasciculus.
[Cervical Spinal Cord]
Primary neuron enters via medial division of dorsal root ganglion (DRG).
Carries upper limb information.
Axons form the lateral cuneate fasciculus at or above T5.
Somatotopy: cervical fibers located laterally next to gray matter
[Medulla]
Gracile and cuneate fasciculi run ipsolaterally up to medulla.
Axons terminate on secondary neurons in gracile and cuneate nuclei.
Second neurons cross midline as internal arcuate fibers.
Somatotopy: lower limb info ventral; upper limb info dorsal
[Pons and Midbrain]
Axons form the medial lemniscus (ML).
Somatotopy: lower limb info lateral; upper limb info medial
[Thalamus]
Medial lemniscus terminates in the ventral posterior lateral (VPL) nucleus.
Third neurons in VPL thalamus.
Somatotopy: lower limb info lateral; upper limb info medial
[Cortex]
VPL axons terminate in the postcentral gyrus (primary somatosensory cortex)
Somatotopy: lower limb info medial; upper limb info lateral
Anterolateral System
(ALS)
Carries protopathic sensation.
Includes 3 pathways:
- Spinothalamic tract (STT)
- Spinoreticular tract
- Spinomesecephalic tract
Spinothalamic Tract
(STT)
Part of the anterolateral system along with spinoreticular and spinotectal fibers.
Carries protopathic sensation from contralateral side of the body.
Pain, temperature, and crude touch.
Type A-πΏ and C fibers.
[Spinal cord]
Primary neurons in dorsal root ganglion (DRG)
Axons enter via lateral division of DRG
Sends collaterals into Lissauerβs tract
(~ 1 level rostrally and caudally)
Axons terminate in dorsal horn (lamina I, II, and V)
Second neurons in Lamina I and V
Axons decussate immediately in ventral white commissure
Axons form the spinothalamic tract (STT)
Stomatotopy: cervical fibers located ventrally next to gray matter
[Pons, Medulla, Midbrain]
Axons ascend as the STT carrying information from contralateral side of the body.
Somatotopy: cervical β sacral goes ventral β dorsal
Medulla: STT is lateral/dorsal to inferior olive
Pons/Midbrain: STT lateral to medial lemniscus
[Thalamus]
STT axons terminate at the ventral posterior lateral nucleus (VPL)
Third neurons in the VPL thalamus.
Somatotopy: lower limb lateral, upper limb medial
[Cortex]
VPL axons terminate in the postcentral gyrus
Somatotopy: lower limb medial, upper limb lateral
Facial
Epicritic Pathway
Fine touch and proprioception transmitted via the trigeminal nerve (CN V).
[Pons]
Enters at the mid-pons.
Majority of fibers crosses midline.
Travels medially within longitudinal pontine fibers.
Some fibers travel via Dorsal trigeminal tract.
[Midbrain]
Anterior position within medial leminiscus.
Some fibers travel via Dorsal trigeminal tract.
[Thalamus]
Project into the ventral posterior medial (VPM) thalamus.
[Cortex]
Project to lateral somatotopy of post-central gyrus.
Facial
Protopathic Pathway
Pain and temperature information carried via
Trigeminal nerve (CN V)
[Pons]
Enters spinal cord at the mid-pons.
Descends down to the caudal medulla and crosses midline.
Ascends via the Spinothalamic tract (STT).
[Midbrain]
Anterior position within the STT
[Thalamus]
Fibers terminate within the ventral posterior medial (VPM) thalamus.
Third neuron originates in the VPM.
[Cortex]
VPM fibers terminate laterally within the postcentral gyrus.
Hornerβs Syndrome
Preganglionic sympathetic neurons in the T1 intermediolateral nucleus (aka ciliospinal center of Budge) β postganglionic neurons in cervical ganglion.
Postganglionic sympathetic neurons β ipsilateral dilator muscle of pupillae, superior tarsal muscle, and sweat glands of face.
Lesion of this pathway results in Hornerβs syndrome.
Characterized by ipsilateral:
miosis (constricted pupil)
ptosis (drooping eyelid)
anhidrosis (lack of sweating) on the face
Ventral Spinocerebellar Tract
(VSCT)
VSCT sends to cerebellum an efferent copy of spinal cord motor neuron output.
Used for motor control of lower limbs.
Fibers cross twice ending on ipsilateral side to origin.
Lesion of VSCT fibers produces contralateral deficits.
-
Spinal Cord
- neurons in lamina VII & ventral horn of lumbar spine (spinal border cells)
-
1st crossing:
βΎ axons cross in ventral white commissure
βΎ forms contralateral VSCT
-
Rostral Pons:
- VSCT enters superior cerebellar peduncle (SCP)
-
2nd crossing:
ββΎ axons cross again in decussation of superior cerebellar peduncle to reach ipsilateral cerebellum to origin
Cuneocerebellar Tract
(CCT)
Carries unconscious proprioception from upper body to cerebellum.
Used for motor control.
-
Spinal cord
-
1st neuron in DRG
- enter via medial division of dorsal root
- travel in cuneate fasciculus
- send collaterals to lateral (accessory) cuneate nucleus
-
1st neuron in DRG
-
Caudal medulla
-
2nd neuron in lateral cuneate nucleus
- axons form cuneocerebellar tract
-
2nd neuron in lateral cuneate nucleus
-
Rostral medulla
- CCT fibers travel via inferior cerebellar peduncle (ICP)
-
Cerebellum
- Fibers enter ipsilateral cerebellum
- tract lesions produces ipsilateral deficits
- Fibers enter ipsilateral cerebellum
Pyramidal System
Major motor pathway from the cortex.
Corticospinal, corticobulbar, corticoreticular tracts.
-
Originates
- primary motor cortex (main)
- premotor cortex
- primary somatosensory cortex
- posterior parietal area
-
Terminates
- alpha & gamma motor neurons in spinal cord
- cranial nerve motor neurons in brainstem
- Susceptible to major insult including vascular damage.
Cortical Spinal Tracts
(CST)
Control of voluntary movements.
Suppression of innate reflexes.
[Cortex]
Pyramidal neurons (lamina V of cerebral cortex) mostly in precentral gyrus but also other cortical areas
β corona radiata
β posterior limb of internal capsule
[Midbrain]
Middle 1/3 portion of cerebral peduncle
(Crus cerebri and Basis pedunculi)
[Pons]
Pyramidal tract in basal pons
(Longitudinal pontine fibers)
[Open Medulla]
Pyramid
[Closed Medulla]
85% of fibers cross at the pyramidal decussation
15% of fibers remain on ipsilateral side
[Spinal Cord - starting at cervical]
Decussated fibers form Lateral Cortical Spinal Tract (LCST)
Cervical fibers closer to gray matter
Controls distal motor neurons for fine movements
Runs within lateral funiculus w/ RuST & MRST
Remainder of fibers form the Ventral Cortical Spinal Tract (VCST)
Cross at segmental level
Influences bilateral neurons controlling axial muscles
Lateral Corticospinal Tract (LCST)
Characteristics
- Terminates on LMN in ventral horn for distal muscles
-
Synapses on spinal interneurons
- Ia & Ib interneurons
- Renshaw cells
-
Lesions:
- spasticity β d/t mix with corticoreticular and reticulospinal tracts
- Babinski sign Β± Grasp reflex
-
Isolated LVST lesion
- rare
- see w/ lesion in primary motor cortex or pyramids
- get flaccid paralysis & substantial atrophy
- no UMNs
Ventral Corticospinal Tract (VCST)
Characteristics
- Originates in trunk & limb extensors region of contra. motor cortex
- Runs in ventral funiculus
- Bilaterally innervates:
- axial motor neurons
- interneurons in ventral horn
- Functions to maintain posture
- Lesion β little deficit if unilateral
Corticobulbar Tract
(CBT)
Controls cranial nerve motor functions.
-
Cortex
- originates from pyramidal neurons in lamina V of contralateral motor cortex head region
βΎ corona radiata
ββΎ genu of internal capsule
- originates from pyramidal neurons in lamina V of contralateral motor cortex head region
-
Midbrain
- axons in medial 1/3 of cerebral peduncle
-
Pons
- controls bilateral trigeminal motor nucleus
- controls bilateral upper face facial motor neurons
- controls only contralateral lower face facial motor neurons
- unilateral CBT lesion = contralateral drooping of corner of mouth
-
Medulla and Spinal Cord
- controls bilateral hypoglossal nucleus
- controls bilateral nucleus ambiguus
- controls bilateral spinal accessory nucleus
βΎ nuclei often receive mostly crossed CBT fibers
βΎ CBT lesion may cause contralateral weakness
Extrapyramidal Tracts
Involves multiple UMNs.
Originates primarily in premotor cortex and cerebellum.
Synapses in brainstem before reaching LMN.
Rubrospinal Tract
(RuST)
Functions to control upper arm flexion.
Specialized for brachiation in primates.
- Path:
-
Cortex
- magnocellular neurons of contralateral red nucleus
-
Midbrain
- crosses in ventral tegmental decussation
- Travels with LCST in lateral funiculus
- Terminates in cervical spinal cord
- synapses with ventral horn LMN & interneurons
-
Cortex
-
Controls upper arm musculature
- flexors > extensors
- Lesions β upper arm spasticity
- Contributes to decorticate posture
Rubro-olivary Fibers
- Originates from parvocellular neurons in red nucleus
- Axons project via central tegmental tract β ipsilateral inferior olive
- Functions in motor learning
- regulates cerebellar function
Pontine Reticulospinal Tract
(PRST)
-
Function:
- Facilitates extensor and inhibits flexors.
- Involved in control of posture and gait-related movements.
- Maintains muslce tone.
- Opposes MRST.
- Controlled by contralateral motor cortex.
- Lesions = spasticity.
- Tract:
- Originates from 2 pairs of neurons within pontine reticular formation
- nucleus reticularis pontis oralis (rostral pons)
- nucleus reticularis pontis caudalis (caudal pons)
- Originates from 2 pairs of neurons within pontine reticular formation
- Axons descend ipsilaterally
- βtravel in ventral funiculus with VCST
- Terminate bilaterally in all spinal cord levels
Medullary Reticulospinal Tract
(MRST)
- Characteristics:
- Inhibits extensors and facilitates flexors.
- Involved in control of posture and gait-related movements.
- Terminates mostly on gamma MN and interneurons that control proximal extensors.
- Opposes PRST.
- Primarily controlled by contralateral motor cortex.
- Lesion = spasticity
- Originates from gigantocellular neurons of ipsilateral medullary reticular formation
- Axons descend bilaterally, mostly uncrossed
-
Terminates in all spinal cord levels
- Travels within lateral funiculus with LCST
Lateral Vestibulospinal Tract
(LVST)
-
Characteristics:
- Controls ipsi LMN & interneurons innervating extensor antigravitic muscles
- Controls contralateral limb via interneurons
-
Maintain muscle tone by exciting extensors
- Balance at rest and during movement
- Equilibrium
- Maintain/adjust posture
- Labyrinthine Reflex
- Lesion = balance problems
- Path:
-
Medulla
- Originates from ipsilateral lateral vestibular nucleus (Deiterβs nucleus)
- Fibers pass through inferior vestibular nucleus
- Axons descend ipsilaterally to all spinal cord levels
-
Medulla
-
Spinal cord
- Travels in ventral funiculus with VCST
Controlled by inhibitory input from Purkinje neurons in cerebellum:
- Vermis and flocculonodular lobes.
Medial Vestibulospinal Tract
(MVST)
-
Characteristics:
- Primarily controls LMNs innervating muscles of the head and neck.
- Role in positioning of head/neck in relation to balance and eye movement.
- Right reflex
- Allows suppression of vestibular ocular reflex (VOR)
- Synchronize head and eye movements
- Path:
- Originates mostly from medial vestibular nuclei
- Axons descend bilaterally to cervical and high thoracic spinal cord
- Forms the descending branch of MLF
- Travels in ventral funiculus with VCST
Tectospinal Tract
(TST)
Important in directing head movement towards novel visual, auditory, or somatic stimuli.
-
Midbrain
- Originates in contralateral superior colliculus
- Axons curve around PAG
- Crosses in dorsal tegmental decussation
- Continues caudally as tectospinal tract
- Travels in midbrain, pons, and medulla near midline, ventral to MLF
- Travels in ventral funiculus with MLF and PRST
- Terminates in high cervical spinal cord
Decorticate Posturing
Damage in the brainstem above the level of the red nucleus.
Decortication interrupts cortical fibers providing tonic activation of MRST.
Upper limbs flexed βΎ d/t red nucleus via rubrospinal tract (RST)
Lower limbs extended βΎ due to β influence by PRST and LVST without β influence from MRST.
Decerebrate Posturing
Damage to brainstem below or at the level of the red nucleus.
Both upper and lower limbs extended.
Extension due to β influence of PRST and LVST without β influence of MRST.
Progression from decorticate β decerebrate life threatening β lesion expanding towards medullary life centers.
Sympathetic
Nervous System
Fight or Flight
preganglionic neuron (Ach): in IML of thoracic and lumbar spinal cord
postganglionic neuron (Norepi): sympathetic chain ganglia
directly innervates adrenal medulla β epi/norepi
except sweat glands which use Ach
Hornerβs Syndrome
Results from interuption of SNS innervation to eye.
-
Miosis βΎ pupillary constriction
- due to unopposed PNS action on iris
-
Ptosis βΎ drooping of eyelid
- due to loss of SNS to superior tarsal muscle
-
Anhydrosis βΎ lack of sweating to ipsi face
- due to loss of SNS on sweat glands
Parasympathetic
Nervous System
Rest and Digest
preganglionic neuron (Ach): in brainstem and sacral spinal cord
postganglionic neuron (Ach): in or near targets
Outflow mainly to glands, smooth muscles in head and neck & thoracic, abdominal, pelvic viscera.
Activation of PNS β energy conservation:
β HR
β BP
β peristalsis
β salivation
pupillary constriction
bladder contraction
Voiding Reflex
Bladder emptying under voluntary control.
- Fullness β S2-S4 β sensory cortex
- Frontal micturition center βΎ descending pathways βΎ voiding reflex
- Regulated by pontine micturition center
- β¨ of SNS β pudendal nerve β bladder neck β relaxation of external urethral sphincter
- β of PNS β pelvic splanchnic nerves β contraction of detrusor β voiding
Infantile Bladder
Loss of conscious control of voiding.
Damage to frontal micturition centers βΎ reflex activation of pontine & spinal centers βΎ bladder empties when full.
Spastic Bladder
Hyperreflexic bladder.
Caused by lesion to pontine micturition center.
Adequate sphincteric control but with urge incontinence.
Bladder small and contracted.
Post-void residual common.
May require catheterization.
Atonic Bladder
Flaccid areflexic bladder or significant loss of bladder contractility.
Due to loss of PNS outflow to detursor and/or loss of afferents from bladder/urethra.
Overflow incontinence common.
Bladder fills to capacity but urine continuously dribbles out.
