Descending Tracts

Question 1

Corticospinal Tracts

Pyramidal

Answer 1

Voluntary Movement

Precentral Gyrus - Pyramid of Medulla

1. Most dessucate here to lateral corticospinal tract for distal extremities
2. some travel down anterior corticospinal tract and dessucate at level of proximal and axial muscles via anterior white commisure

Question 2

Corticobulbar Tracts

Pyramidal

Answer 2

UMN innervation of face head and neck

Bilateral innervation apart from hypoglossal and lower facial nuclei which are supplied contralaterally

Question 3

Vestibulospinal Tract

Extra-Pyramidal

Answer 3

Balance and Posture

- Innervates anti-gravity muscles (leg extensors and arm flexors)

Question 4

Reticulopinal Tract

Extra-Pyramidal

Answer 4

Voluntary/reflex responses and control tone (pontine increases and medullary decreases)

Question 5

Rubrospinal Tract

Extra-Pyramidal

Answer 5

excites flexor myscles and inhibits extensor muscle of the upper body

Question 6

Tecto Spinal Tract

Extra-Pyramidal

Answer 6

Co-ordinates movements of head and neck to vision stimuli