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CAPS 391 - Gross Human Anatomy > Nervous System - Spinal Cord Tracts & Brainstem > Flashcards

Nervous System - Spinal Cord Tracts & Brainstem Flashcards

1
Q

What is the General Organization of Sensory Tracts? Does a Sensory Tract Ascend or Descend?

A

(From most peripheral to most central)

  • First Order Neuron
  • Second-Order Neuron
  • Third Order Neuron
  • Ascending (towards the brain)
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2
Q

What does the First Order Neuron do in a Sensory Tract? Where is it always located?

A 
Function
- Brings sensory information to the CNS (spinal cord)
- Synapses with the 2nd Order Neuron
Location
- The Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG)
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3
Q

What does the Second Order Neuron do?

A
  • Relays information from the 1st Order Neuron to the 3rd Order Neuron
  • Deccusates (crosses the midline) to the contralateral side
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4
Q

What does the Third Order Neuron do?

A
  • Travels from the Thalamus to somatosensory (and other regions) of the Cortex
  • Relays information to the Cortex from the 2nd Order Neuron
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5
Q

What is the exception to the 3 Neuron Rule?

A
  • The Dorsal Spinocerebellar Tract
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6
Q

What is the Function of the Dorsal Column-Medial Lemniscus (DCML) Tract? is it ascending or descending?

A
  • Conveys information about Discriminative Touch (except head region) and Conscious Proprioception (except TMJ)
  • Ascending
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7
Q

How many Neurons does the Dorsal Column-Medial Lemniscus (DCML) tract go through?

A
  • 3
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8
Q

Where is the 1st Order Neuron of the Dorsal Column-Medial Lemniscus (DCML) Tract located? What does it do?

A

Location
- Cell body within the Dorsal Root Ganglia
Function
- Brings information into the spinal cord via the Dorsal Horn
- Travels up the spinal cord to the 2nd Order Neuron in the Medulla

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9
Q

Where are the axons of the 1st order neuron of the Dorsal Column-Medial Lemniscus (DCML) Tract?

A
  • Travel on the same side as the 1st order neuron entry point of the dorsal column
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10
Q

What is the difference between the information of the Upper Limb and Lower Limb regarding the Dorsal Column-Medial Lemniscus (DCML) Tract?

A

Upper Limb
- Travels within Fasciculus Cuneatus (more lateral)
Lower Limb
- Travels within the Gracile Fasciculus (more medial)

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11
Q

Where does the 1st Order Neuron synapse onto the 2nd Order Neuron in the Dorsal Column-Medial Lemniscus (DCML) tract?

A
  • Nucleus Cuneatus of Medulla

- Gracile Nucleus of Medulla

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12
Q

Where does the Dorsal Column-Medial Lemniscus (DCML) tract go after the 1st Order Neuron synapses with the 2nd Order Neuron?

A
  • Deccusates (crosses the midline), contralaterally to the point of entry
  • Ascends through the brainstem as the Medial Lemniscus towards the Thalamus to the 3rd Order Neuron
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13
Q

Where does the 2nd Order Neuron in the Dorsal Column-Medial Lemniscus (DCML) Tract synapse with the 3rd Order Neuron?

A
  • In the Thalamus
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14
Q

Where does the 3rd Order Neuron of the Dorsal Column-Medial Lemniscus (DCML) tract go? What does it do?

A

Pathway
- Projects from the Thalamus to the sensory area of the cerebral cortex
Function
- Relays information about Conscious Sensation

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15
Q

What is the Function of the Lateral Spinothalamic Tract? Is it sensory or motor? How many Neurons does it have?

A 
Function
- Conveys information about Pain and Temperature from all over the body (except the head region)
Type
- Sensory (ascending)
# of Neurons
- 3
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16
Q

Where is the 1st Order Neuron of the Lateral Spinothalamic Tract?

A
  • Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG)
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17
Q

Where does the 1st Order Neuron of the Lateral Spinothalamic Tract synapse with the 2nd Order Neuron?

A
  • In the Dorsal Horn of the Spinal Cord
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18
Q

Describe the Pathway of the 2nd Order Neuron of the Lateral Spinothalamic Tract? (5)

A
  • Synapsed by the 1st Order Neuron in the Dorsal Horn of the Spine
  • Decussates (crosses midline) to the contralateral side
  • Ascends through the lateral column of the spinal cord
  • Axons of 2nd Order Neuron travel to the Thalamus
  • Synapses with the 3rd Order Neuron at the Thalamus
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19
Q

Where does the 3rd Order Neuron of the Lateral Spinothalamic Tract project Sensory Information? What kind of information is it?

A

Location
- The sensory areas of the cortex
Information
- Pain and Temperature

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20
Q

What is the function of the Anterior Spinothalamic Tract? Is it Sensory or Motor? How many Neurons Does it have?

A 
Function
- Conveys Information about non-discriminative (crude) touch
Type 
- Sensory
# of Neurons
- 3
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21
Q

Where is the 1st Order Neuron of the Anterior Spinothalamic Tract Located?

A
  • The Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG)
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22
Q

Where does the 1st Order Neuron of the Anterior Spinothalamic Tract synapse with the 2nd Order Neuron?

A
  • Dorsal Horn of the Spinal Cord
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23
Q

Describe the Pathway of the 2nd Order Neuron of the Anterior Spinothalamic Tract (5)

A
  • 1st Order Neuron synapses with it at the Dorsal Horn
  • It Decussates to the contralateral side
  • Travels up the Spinal Cord within the anterolateral column
  • Axon of 2nd Order Neuron travel up to the Thalamus
  • Synapses with the 3rd Order Neuron in the Thalamus
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24
Q

Where will the 3rd Order Neurons of the Anterior Spinothalamic Tract project information? What information does it send?

A

Location
- Sensory Area of the cortex
Type
- Non-Discriminative (crude) Touch

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25
What is the Function of the Dorsal Spinocerebellar Tract? sensory or motor? How many Neurons?
Function - Convey information about unconscious proprioception from joint and muscles of the lower limb and trunk Type - Sensory Neurons - 2 (exception to the 3 neuron rule of sensory tracts)
26
Where is the 1st Order Neuron of the Dorsal Spinocerebellar Tract?
- Dorsal Root Ganglion
27
Where does the 1st Order Neuron of the Dorsal Spinocerebellar Tract synapse with the 2nd order neuron?
- The Dorsal Horn
28
Describe the 2nd Order Neuron pathway of the Dorsal Spinocerebellar Tract (4)
- Synapsed by 1st Order Neuron at the Dorsal Horn - Axons travel in the lateral column of the spinal cord - Passes through the inferior cerebellar peduncle - Axons synapse onto the ipsilateral cerebellar hemisphere
29
Where does the 2nd order neuron of the Dorsal Spinocerebellar Tract pass information? What is that information?
Location - Cerebellar hemisphere Type - Unconscious Proprioception from joints and muscles of lower limb and trunk
30
What are the Two classifications of Motor Tracts?
- Pyramidal Tracts | - Extrapyramidal Tracts
31
Where do Pyramidal Motor Tracts convey motor information from? What does that information do?
Location - Cortical motor regions (primary motor cortex of the frontal lobe) Function - Control muscles in the limbs and trunk
32
What are the two Pyramidal Motor Tracts?
- Lateral Corticospinal Tract | - Ventral Corticospinal Tract
33
Where do Extrapyramidal Motor Tracts convey information from? what does that information do?
Location - Nuclei of the Brainstem and Cerebellum Function - Convey Regulatory motor Information (postural/subconscious in nature)
34
What are the 4 Extrapyramidal Tracts?
- Rubrospinal Tract - Tectospinal Tract - Vestibulospinal Tract - Reticulospinal Tract
35
How many neurons do Motor Tracts have? What are their names?
``` # of Neurons - 2 Names - Upper Motor Neuron - Lower Motor Neuron ```
36
What is the difference between the location of Upper Motor Neurons in Pyramidal vs Extrapyramidal Motor Tracts?
Pyramidal - Primary Motor Cortices Extrapyramidal - Nuclei of Brainstem and Cerebellar Cortex
37
Where are the Lower Motor Neurons located for Pyramidal and Extrapyramidal motor tracts? Where do they exit the spinal cord? where do they go?
``` Location - Both are located in the Anterior Horn of the Spinal Cord Exit - Through the ventral root Go - Target muscle: to innervate it ```
38
What are the two Corticospinal Tracts? What type of motor tract are they? what are their functions?
``` Corticospinal Tracts - Lateral Corticospinal Tract - Ventral Corticospinal Tract Type - Pyramidal (primary motor) Functions - Motor control of muscles of limbs and the trunk ```
39
Where do the Axons of the Upper Motor Neurons of the Corticospinal tracts descend through?
- The Brainstem
40
What happens to the Axons of the Upper Motor Neurons of the Corticospinal Tract at the Caudal Medulla?
- Majority of the fibers decussate at the pyramidal decussation - Some fibers stay on the same side
41
What happens to the fibers of the Corticospinal Tracts that Decussate at the Caudal Medulla?
- they become the lateral corticospinal tract | - Travel within the lateral column of the spinal cord
42
What happens to the fibers of the corticospinal tract that do not decussate at the casual medulla?
- They become the Ventral Corticospinal Tract - Travel within the ventral column of the spinal cord - They then decussate at the level of the target muscle they will innervate
43
Where do the Upper Motor Neurons synapse with the Lower Motor Neurons?
- The ventral horn at the level of the target muscle they will innervate
44
What do the Lower Motor Neurons do after the Upper Motor Neurons synapses with them?
- Exit the Spinal Cord via the Ventral Root | - Innervate a target muscle
45
What are the Main Functions of the Brainstem? (3)
- Passageway for all ascending and descending tracts between the brain and the spinal cord - Contains the nuclei of Cranial Nerve III-XII - Regulation of vital autonomic behaviors (e.g. respiration, heart rate, alternes, etc.)
46
What kind of nerve tract is the rubrospinal tract?
- An Extrapyramidal Motor Tract
47
Where are the Upper Motor Neurons of the Rubrospinal Tract Located?
- The Red Nucleus of the Midbrain
48
Where do the Axons of the Upper Motor Neurons of the Rubrospinal Tract decussate? Where do they descend? Where do they synapse with the Lower Motor Neurons?
``` Decussation - Level of the Midbrain Descent - Through Medulla Oblongata - Lateral Column of spinal cord Synapse - Ipsilateral Ventral Horn ```
49
From a surface anatomy perspective, where is the Medulla located?
- Most inferior part of the brainstem
50
From a surface anatomy perspective, what are the two divisions of the medulla?
- Closed: inferior or caudal part | - Open: superior or rostral part
51
What does the Open Medulla open up to posteriorly?
- The 4th Ventricle
52
What are the three sections of the brain stem and their location identifiers? What is located just posterior to the brainstem?
``` Sections - Midbrain: Most superior part - Pons: Largest part/ middle part - Medulla Oblongata: most inferior part Posterior to Brainstem - Cerebellum ```
53
What is located between the Brainstem and the Cerebellum?
- 4th Cerebral Verticle
54
What is Identifiable from a transverse cross-section of the Medulla? (8)
- 4th Ventricle: Posterior Aspect - Cranial Nerve XII Nucleus: Just anterior to the 4th Ventricle - Cranial Nerve X Nucleus: - Cranial Nerve VIII Nuclei: Posterior to X and XII - Reticular Formation: Anterior to the Nuclei - Inferior Olivary Nucleus - Corticospinal Tracts Travelling in the Pyramids - Medial Lemniscus
55
What are the Functions (4) of the Reticular Formation? where is it found? What happens if it does not work?
Functions - Visceral Reflexes: heart rate, breathing rate, vomiting, and hiccup - Modulates Pain: control and subside pain - Alertness: regulating alertness of the entire nervous system (puts you to sleep and wakes you up) - Connection: Connects everything to everything Location - Entire Brainstem Not working - Coma
56
What does the Inferior Olivary Nucleus do?
- cooperates with cerebellum | - helps when learning new motor skills
57
From a surface anatomical perspective, what is identifiable on the pons? (4)
- Located superior to the medulla and inferior to the midbrain - Convex Anteriorly - Cranial Nerve V emerges from the anterolateral surface - Cranial Nerves VI-VIII emerge from the Pontomedullary Sulcus
58
What connects the Cerebellum to the Brainstem? how?
- The Pons | - The middle and superior cerebellar peduncles
59
How does the Brainstem connect to the Diencephalon?
- The Midbrain: Superiorly
60
What is identifiable on the anatomical surface of the Midbrain? (3)
- The Cranial Nerve III emerges anteriorly - The Cranial Nerve IV emerges Posteriorly - Superior and Inferior Culliculi: Paired, contains Nuclei inside
61
What is Identifiable on a cross-section of the Midbrain? (7)
- Cerebral Peduncles: Anteriorly - Red Nucleus: Rubrospinal Tract (anterior to reticular formation) - Substantia Nigra: lateral to red nucleus - CN III Nucleus: Middle - Reticular Formation: Lateral to the CN III Nucleus - Cerebral Aqueduct: Posterior - The Colliculi: Posterior aspect
62
What do the Cerebral Peduncles contain?
- Contain Crus Cerebri (the corticospinal and corticobulbar fibers: from cortex to the brainstem)
63
What is the Cerebral Aqueduct? where is it identifiable?
Cerebral Aqueduct - The narrowing of the 4th Ventricle Location - Visible in the cross-section of the midbrain
64
What happens if there are Lesions on the Red Nucleus?
- Tremor: shakings of the body - Called the Intention Tremor - Only a tremor when asked to do something
65
What happens if there is a lesion in the Substantia Nigra?
- Parkinsons: loss of gross movements | - Resting Tremor: tremors during sedentary time

CAPS 391 - Gross Human Anatomy (33 decks)

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