NERVE TRACTS Flashcards
what rexed laminae are associated with nociceptive fibres?
1-3
what rexed laminae are associated with motor neurones?
8-9
what rexed lamina is associated with preganglionic autonomic neurones
7
what tract transmits sensory information regarding pain and temperature?
LATERAL spinothalamic
what tract transmits sensory information regarding crude touch and pressure?
VENTRAL spinothalamic
what tract transmits sensory information regarding discriminative touch, proprioception and vibration?
Dorsal columns
What is the only anatomical difference between the ventral and lateral spinothalamic tracts?
2nd order neurones of VENTRAL tract can travel upwards for a number of spinal segments before they decussate
what sensory tract conveys information regarding discriminative touch, proprioception and vibration from the lower limb?
fasiculus gracilis
what sensory tract conveys information regarding discriminative touch, proprioception and vibration from the upper limb?
fasiculus cuneatus
what is the name of the nucleus of the thalamus associated with the spinothalamic tracts?
VP nucleus
where do 1st order neurones of the dorsal column synapse?
Nucleus gracilis and cuneatus
describe the path of 2nd order neurones of the dorsal column. What structure do they pass through?
neurones decussate in brainstem
ascend through contralateral MEDIAL lemniscus to VP nucleus of thalamus
what pathway controls fine motor movements of the limbs?
LATERAL corticospinal tract
what pathway controls movements of axial and girdle muscles?
VENTRAL corticospinal tract
through what limb of the internal capsule do fibres in the corticospinal tract pass?
posterior limb
what fibres pass through the genu of the internal capsule?
corticobulbar (cranial motor)
what is the structure and function of the spinocerebellar tract?
ascending tract, carries information from the golgi tendon organs and tactile receptors to the cerebellum
involved in control of posture and co-ordination of movement
what is the structure and function of the spinoreticulothalamic tract?
Ascending pain pathway. Similar to spinothalamic, however ascends to reticular formation > thalamus > cortex
How dull, aching pain is consciously recognised
what is the structure and function of the rubrospinal tract?
Descending originating from red nucleus of midbrain.
Controls tone of flexor limb muscles
what is the structure and function of the vestibulospinal tract?
Originates in vestibular nucleus.
Controls extensor muscle tone, involved with posture
what is the structure and function of the tectospinal tract?
originates in superior colliculus, terminates in C spine.
Mediates reflex movements in response to visual stimuli
what is the structure and function of the reticulospinal tract?
descends from reticular formation of pons/medulla
mediates pressor and depressor effects of CV system and control of breathing
what are the names of the 6 other spinal tracts?
spinoreticulothalamic rubrospinal tectospinal vestibulospinal spinocerebellar reticulospinal
describe the pathway of the spinoreticulothalamic tract
2nd order neurones terminate in reticular formation of medulla
3rd order neurones run to VP nucleus of thalamus
4th order neurones run to post-central gyrus, limbic system and neocortex
