Kenyon: Motor Neurons II Flashcards
The lateral corticospinal tract projects from upper motor neurons in the cerebral cortex to where?
lower motor neurons in the lateral ventral horn
Lower motor neurons with cell bodies located laterally project to what muscles?
limb muscles
Lower motor neurons with cell bodies located medially project to what muscles?
axial (postural) muscles
What are two bulbospinal tracts that we should be concerned about?
vestibulospinal
reticulospinal
Where do upper motor neurons in the brainstem project to via the vestibulospinal and reticulospinal tracts?
to lower motor neurons in the medial ventral horn *to supply axial and proximal muscles for posture and balance
Describe the course of the lateral corticospinal tract as it goes from upper motor neurons in the cortex to lower motor neurons in the lateral ventral horn.
cerebral cortex –> cerebral peduncles –> pyramidal decussation –> spinal cord
Local circuit neurons controlling posture are located (blank), and projections are (blank)
medially; long *over many segments and to both sides of the cord
What do medial local circuit neurons do?
coordinate many axial muscles on both sides of the body
*often cross over
Local circuit neurons controlling limbs are located (blank), and projections are (blank)
laterally; short *extend only a few segments
Do local circuit neurons controlling limbs usually cross?
no! rarely cross to contralateral side
*independent control of a few muscles
The lower motor neurons controlling muscles of the face are in the (blank). They receive input from upper motor neurons via (blank) tract. Lower motor neurons controlling the muscles in the rest of the body are in the (blank). They receive input from upper motor neurons via the (blank) tract.
brainstem; corticobulbar; spinal cord; corticospinal
What kind of info does the lateral corticospinal tract carry? Where will the info ultimately go to?
info from motor cortex for limbs and hands;
to lateral and intermediate regions of the spinal cord
The lateral corticospinal tract sends branches where?
dorsal column nuclei (gracile and cuneate)
Does the lateral corticospinal tract cross at the pyramidal decussation?
**yes
What kind of information does the ventral corticospinal tract carry?
info from cortex for hip, trunk, shoulder, elbow, and neck; to medial regions of spinal cord on both sides
Does the ventral corticospinal tract cross at the pyramidal decussation?
**does not cross at pyramidal decussation, but may cross in lower regions of the spinal cord
Where else can upper motor neurons contributing to ventral corticospinal tract send axons to?
reticular formation *ex: corticobulbar
Upper motor neurons in the primary motor cortex and premotor cortex can also send projections to the reticular formation via the indirect pathway. What does activity in this pathway allow for?
coordination of postural movements
Where are the cell bodies of lower motor neurons controlling the superior/inferior facial muscles located?
in the ipsilateral facial nerve nucleus