Lecture 10: Spinal Cord and Brainstem Control of Motor Function II Flashcards
Pyramidal system definition
Tracts that pass through the medullary pyramids
Components of pyramidal system
Corticospinal tract
Corticobulbar tract
Upper motor neurons of pyramidal system decussate where and form what
75-85% decussate in pyramids and form the lateral corticospinal tracts
Remainder decussate near synapse with LMN and form anterior corticospinal tracts
Most synapse with association neurons in SC central gray
Origins of corticospinal tract
Primary motor cortex
Premotor cortex
Somatosensory area
Pathway of corticospinal tract
Site of origin–> internal capule–> medullary pyramids–> X in lower medulla (most fibers)–> lateral columns of spinal cord (lateral corticospinal tract)
Some fibers do not cross but continue down ipsilaterally in ventral corticospinal tract
Lateral corticospinal tract made up of and supply what
Corticospinal fibers that have crossed in the medulla
Supply all levels of spinal cord
Anterior corticospinal track made up of and supply what
Uncrossed corticospinal fibers that cross near level of synapse with LMN
Supply neck and upper limbs
Functions of corticospinal tract divisions
Add speed and agility to conscious movements (especially in hand)
Provide high degree of motor control
Giant pyramidal (Bertz) cells
Located in motor cortex
Large fibers
Send collaterals back to cortex
Synapse directly on LMNs
Symptoms of cortical spinal tract lesions
Reduced muscle tone
Clumsiness
Weakness
Complete paralysis only occurs if both pyramidal and extrapyramidal systems are involved
Corticobulbar tract
Upper motor neurons of the cranial nerves, innervating face, head and neck
Corticobulbar tract fibers terminate where
In reticular formation near cranial nerve nuclei
Association neurons of corticobulbar tract synapse where
Cranial nerve nuclei with lower motor neurons
Corticobulbar tract lesions
Can affect hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
Can affect facial nerve (CN VII)
Extrapyramidal system
Descending motor tracts that do not pass through medullary pyramids or corticobulbar tracts
Extrapyramidal system includes what tracts
Rubrospinal
Vestibulospinal
Reticulospinal
Olivospinal
Extrapyramidal subcortical nuclei (taylor)
Thalamus Red nucleus Subthalamic nucleus Caudate Substantia niagra Globus pallidus Putamen