Motor Systems Flashcards
What fibres does the fasciculus gracilis carry?
The fasciculus gracilis carries fibres from the lower limb.
The fasciculus cuneatus carries fibres from the…
upper limb
Identify the spinothalamic tracts (anterolateral tracts).
What does the spinothalamic tract do?
It relays information to the somatosensory cortex regarding pain and sensory information regarding pain, temperature and sensation.
Identify the spinocerebellar tracts.
Involved in proprioception.
What consitutes the dorsal columns?
- Fasciculus gracilis.
- Gasciculus cuneatus
- Spinothalamic
(all conscious information)
What do the descending tracts do?
Act in response to sensory information.
Also known as pyramidal tracts.
What are pyramidal tracts?
Descending tracts which pass through the medullary pyramid.
What are the pyramidal tracts?
- Corticospinal tracts
(lateral and anterior)
What do the corticospinal tracts (descending pathway) do?
They convey skilled movements origining from the motor cortex of the brain.
The lateral corticospinal tract carries motor information destined for the limbs, important in skilled voluntary movement.
The anterior/ventral tract carries information to muscles (which aren’t limb muscles).
Identify the rubrospinal tract
Responsible for limb flexion
Where does the tectospinal tract originate from?
- Tectum
- Terminated in cervical region of spinal cord
- Responds to movement and visual-sensory information
Identify the location of the vestibulospinal tract
- Originates in the pons and medulla
- Pathway allows for control of extensor motor neuroones responsible for form
