Neuro spinal tracts Flashcards
At what level does the spinal cord end?
L1/L2
What are the major sensory spinal tracts? (2)
DCML
Spinothalamic
What does DCML sense? (3)
Fine touch
Vibration
Proprioception
What is the big spinal tract at the posterior of the spinal cord?
DCML
What are the two parts of the Spinothalamic tract? (2)
Anterior (Crude touch)
Lateral (Pain& temperature)
Where does the DCML decussate?
Brainstem
Where does the Spinothalamic tract decussate?
Immediately on entering spinal cord
What is the difference in decussation between the DCML and Spinothalamic tract?
Spinothalamic tract decussates immediately on entering spinal cord
DMCL decussates in brainstem
What does the Anterior Spinothalamic tract sense?
Crude touch
What does the Lateral Spinothalamic tract sense? (2)
Pain
Temperature
What are the main motor tracts? (2)
Corticospinal (spine > body > muscles)
Corticobulbar (bulb > head > cranial nerves)
Where does the Corticobulbar Tract end?
Brainstem
What does the Corticobulbar Tract innervate?
Motor function of cranial nerve muscles
What are the two parts of the Corticospinal Tract? (2)
Anterior (axial muscles)
Lateral (Limb muscles)
What is innervated by the Anterior Corticospinal Tract?
Axial muscles
What is innervated by the Lateral Corticospinal Tract?
Limb muscles
Babinski positive suggests a problem with which tract?
Corticospinal tract
Describe Decorticate posturing (2)
Person stiff with flexed arms and wrists
Feet turned in
DeCORticate into their CORE
Describe Decerebrate posturing
Person stiff with arms extended by their sides
Feet pointed down
Loads of E’s- Extended arms
A lesion where causes Decerebrate posturing?
At or below Red nucleus
A lesion where causes Decorticate posturing?
Above Red nucleus
Is hyperreflexia an UMN or LMN sign?
UMN
Is hyporeflexia an UMN or LMN sign?
LMN
Why does Cauda Equina Syndrome always present with hyporeflexia?
Because it is due to LMN pathology
the Cauda Equina is all LMNs, it’s not part of the actual cord
Which tract does patterns of movements?
Reticulospinal tract
What is Syringomyelia?
Cyst growing in central canal of spinal cord
Blocks spinothalamic decussation at that level,
therefore bilateral touch/pain/temperature sensory loss
What pattern of sensory loss is seen in Syringomyelia?
Cape-like pattern
Loss of touch, pain & temperature sensation
Cape-like pattern of sensory loss suggests what?
Syringomyelia
Syringomyelia involves sensory loss. What sensation is spared?
Fine touch
Vibration
Proprioception
(DCML is spared)
Syringomyelia involves sensory loss. What sensation is lost?
Crude touch
Pain
Temperature
(bilaterally, due to interruption of spinothalamic tract decussation)
What spinal cord tract moves the head in response to auditory and visual stimuli?
Tectospinal tract
Are Myelinated nerves found in grey or white matter?
White
Which fasciculus of the DCML carries sensory information from the upper limb?
Cunate
C top Gracile bottom
Which fasciculus of the DCML carries sensory information from the lower limb?
Gracile
C top Gracile bottom
Another name for the Primary Motor Cortex?
Precentral Gyrus
Act first Feel after
not Postcentral because Postcentral- more Posterior
Another name for the Primary Sensory Cortex?
Postcentral Gyrus
Act first Feel after
Postcentral- more Posterior
Where is the Red Nucleus?
Midbrain (at same level as the temporal lobe wings)
