Lateral Motor Systems

Question 1

what are the lateral motor systems?

Answer 1

lateral corticospinal tract

rubrospinal tract

Question 2

what is the function of the lateral corticospinal tract?

Answer 2

movement of contralateral limbs

Question 3

what is the function of the rubrospinal tract?

Answer 3

movement of contralateral limbs (uncertain function in humans)

Question 4

what is the pathway for the lateral corticospinal tract?

Answer 4

from the primary motor cortex, frontal and parietal areas to the entire cord (cervical and lumbosacral enlargements) via pyramidal decussation at the cervicomedullary junction

Question 5

what is the pathway for the rubrospinal tract?

Answer 5

from the red nucleus, magnocellular division to the cervial cord via the ventral segmental decussation in the midbrain

Question 6

what are the effects of lesions on the lateral tract?

Answer 6

produce dramatic deficits, because with the lateral tract you decussate the pathway to the other side.

Question 7

what are the functions of the lateral motor systems?

Answer 7

control the movement of the extremities

essential for rapid movements at the individual digits or joints

descend contralaterally