Descending Tracts

Question 1

Corticospinal Tract (anterior)

Answer 1

Pyramidal motor tract responsible for ipsilateral voluntary, discrete and skilled movements

Question 2

Corticospinal tract (lateral)

Answer 2

pyramidal motor tract responsible for contralateral voluntary fine movements (damage = positive Babinksi, absent superficial abdominal reflex and cremasteric reflex and loss of fine motor or skilled voluntary movement)

Question 3

Reticulospinal tract

Answer 3

extrapyramidal motor tract responsible for facilitation/inhibition of voluntary and reflex activity through the influence on alpha and gamma motor neurons

Question 4

Rubrospinal tract

Answer 4

extrapyramidal motor tract responsible for motor input of gross postural tone, facilitating activity of flexor muscles, and inhibiting the activity of extensor muscles

Question 5

Tectospinal tract

Answer 5

extrapyramidal motor tract responsible for contralateral postural muscle tone associated with auditory/visual stimuli

Question 6

Vestibulospinal tract

Answer 6

extrapyramidal motor tract responsible for ipsilateral gross postural adjustments subsequent to head movements, facilitating activity of the extensor muscles, and inhibiting activity of the flexor muscles (damage = significant paralysis, hypertonicity, exaggerated DTR, clasp-knife reaction)