Descending Tracts Need-to-Know Flashcards
Is the Anterior Corticospinal Tract (Pyramidal or Extra Pyramidal)?
Pyramidal
Is the Lateral Corticospinal Tract (Pyramidal or Extra Pyramidal)?
Pyramidal
Is the Tectospinal Tract (Pyramidal or Extra Pyramidal)?
Extra Pyramidal
Is the Rubrospinal Tract (Pyramidal or Extra Pyramidal)?
Extra Pyramidal
Is the Vestibulospinal Tract (Pyramidal or Extra Pyramidal)?
Extra Pyramidal
Is the Reticulospinal Tract (Pyramidal or Extra Pyramidal)?
Extra Pyramidal
What Descending Tracts are Pyramidal?
The Anterior & Lateral Corticospinal Tract
What Descending Tracts are Extra Pyramidal?
- Tectospinal
- Rubrospinal
- Vestibulospinal
- Reticulospinal
What is the function of the Anterior Corticospinal Tract?
Initiate Axial Musculature
What is the function of the Lateral Corticospinal Tract?
Initiate precise, skilled, voluntary movements (mainly distal extremities)
What is the function(s) of the Tectospinal Tract?
- Extrapyramidal postural reflex in the neck
- reflex enhancement w/ sight and auditory inputs
What is the function of the Rubrospinal Tract?
Muscle tone control primarily in contralateral hand and foot musculature.
What is the function of the Vestibulospinal Tract?
Maintains proper orientation in falling and enhances spinal reflex capability.
What is the function of the Reticulospinal Tract?
Heart, blood pressure, and respiratory rates and rhythms
Where does the Anterior Corticospinal Tract cross over?
Prior to termination in R.L. 7
Where does the Lateral Corticospinal Tract cross over?
pyramids of the M.O.
Where does the Tectospinal Tract cross over?
as they descend
Where does Rubrospinal Tract cross over?
Midbrain as they descend