MODULE 10

Question 1

Which of the following tracts originate from the brainstem and form part of the ventromedial system mediating postural control? Select all that apply.

A: Rubrospinal tract
B: Reticulospinal tract
C: Vestibulospinal tract
D: Anterior corticospinal tract
E: Corticonuclear tract

Answer 1

B & C

Question 2

Which of the following tracts is considered the major descending control tract for the production of skilled limb movement and dexterity of the hand?

A: Anterior corticospinal tract
B: Lateral corticospinal tract
C: Rubrospinal tract

Answer 2

B

Question 3

T/F: An injury to the corticospinal tract above the level of the motor decussation results in contralateral motor deficits impacting the body.

Answer 3

true

Question 4

T/F: A small vascular lesion impacting the lateral aspect of the medulla at the mid-level of the motor decussation can result in contralateral upper limb paresis/plegia and ipsilateral lower limb paresis/plegia.

Answer 4

false

Question 5

T/F: The trigeminal motor nucleus will receive descending control signals from both the right and left corticonuclear tracts?

Answer 5

true

Question 6

Which of the following lower motor neurons will receive predominantly contralateral input from the corticonuclear tract? Select all that apply.

A: lower motor neurons innervating the upper muscles of facial expression

B: lower motor neurons innervating the lower muscles of facial expression

C: lower motor neurons innervating the trapezius

D: lower motor neurons innervating the genioglossus

E: lower motor neurons innervating the muscles of the soft palate

Answer 6

B, D, & E

Question 7

Which area of the motor cortices is primarily involved with generating execution commands that encode the direction, extent, speed, and force needed to produce a voluntary movement?

A: Supplementary motor area
B: Premotor cortex
C: Primary motor cortex

Answer 7

C

Question 8

Which areas of the brain are thought to be involved with the sensorimotor transformations that are needed to convert and intention into an action? Select all that apply.

A: Primary motor cortex
B: Premotor cortex
C: Posterior parietal cortex
D: Brainstem
E: Supplementary motor area

Answer 8

B, C, & E

Question 9

Which area of the motor cortices is primarily involved with generating execution commands that encode the direction, extent, speed, and force needed to produce a voluntary movement?

Answer 9

primary motor cortex

Question 10

What are the 3 areas of the brain are thought to be involved with the sensorimotor transformations that are needed to convert and intention into an action?

Answer 10

1. premotor cortex
2. posterior parietal cortex
3. supplementary motor area

Question 11

Which of the following clinical deficits is considered an upper motor neuron sign? Select all that apply.

A: Fasciculations
B: Paresis or plegia
C: Hypotonia
D: Hyperreflexia
E: Atrophy

Answer 11

B & C

Question 12

T/F: Damage above the level of the red nucleus results in decreased cortical modulation of the rubrospinal and reticulospinal tracts resulting in an increase in upper extremity flexor tone and lower extremity extensor tone.

Answer 12

true

Question 13

Which structures are considered part of the input zone of the basal nuclei and what are they referred to as?

Answer 13

caudate & putamen; striatum

Question 14

T/F: The neurons of the striatum (input zone of the BN) and the pallidum (output zone of the BN) secrete the neurotransmitter glutamate.

Answer 14

False – GABA, not glutamate

Question 15

Which neurons form the only purely excitatory intrinsic connections of the basal nuclei circuitry?

Answer 15

Subthalamopallidal neurons

*project from the subthalamic nucleus to the pallidum (output zone))

Question 16

what neurotransmitter do the purely excitatory intrinsic connections of the basal nuclei secrete?

Answer 16

These neurons (subthalamopallidal neurons) secrete the neurotransmitter glutamate. All of the other neurons mentioned will secrete GABA, thus they have inhibitory influences

Question 17

Which structures are considered part of the output zone of the basal nuclei and what are they referred to as?

Answer 17

globus pallidus & substantia nigra pars reticulata; pallidum

Question 18

Which of the following statements best reflects the structure and function of the direct pathway of the basal nuclei?

A: Excitation of the striatum results in excitation of the internal segment of the globus pallidus, thereby reducing the tonic inhibition of the thalamus resulting in excitation of upper motor neurons in the cortex.

B: Excitation of the striatum results in inhibition of the internal segment of the globus pallidus, thereby reducing the tonic inhibition of the thalamus resulting in excitation of upper motor neurons in the cortex.

C: Excitation of the striatum results in inhibition of the internal segment of the globus pallidus, thereby increasing the tonic inhibition of the thalamus resulting in excitation of upper motor neurons in the cortex.

Answer 18

B

Question 19

T/F: The indirect pathway of the basal nuclei produces increased inhibition of the thalamus secondary to the subthalamic nucleus being released from tonic inhibition.

Answer 19

true

Question 20

Which of the following statements best reflects the roles of the direct and indirect pathways in the production of purposeful goal-directed movements?

A: The direct pathway selects out the appropriate functional movement primitives in the appropriate temporal sequence, while the indirect pathway suppresses competing primitives.

B: The indirect pathway selects out the appropriate functional movement primitives in the appropriate temporal sequence, while the direct pathway suprresses competing primitives.

Answer 20

A

Question 21

T/F: The dopaminergic pathway of the basal nuclei is thought to be instrumental in helping us learn motor habits.

Answer 21

true

Question 22

What type clinical conditions are seen in individuals with basal nuclei dysfunction?

Answer 22

movement disorders

Question 23

T/F: Dysfunction of the basal nuclei can result in hyperkinetic or hypokinetic movement disorders.

Answer 23

true

Question 24

Which of the following is considered a clinical deficit associated with hyperkinesia? Select all that apply.

A: akinesia
B: bradykinesia
C: chorea
D: motor tics
E: athetosis

Answer 24

C, D, & E