Neuroanatomy 2 (ascending and descending tracts)

Question 1

how many column does the white matter of the spinal cord have (between the H shaped grey matter)

Answer 1

4
posterior column
anterior column
2 lateral columns

Question 2

what is the H shaped grey matter in the spinal cord divided into

Answer 2

Horns
2 posterior
2 anterior

Question 3

what is different in spinal segments T1-L2

Answer 3

there is a lateral horn which contains sympathetic neurones

sympathetic neruons exit at T1-L2

Question 4

what arteries supply blood to the spinal cord

Answer 4

Longitudinal arteries
Segmental arteries
Radicular arteries

Question 5

what are the 3 longitudinal arteries supplying the spinal cord

Answer 5

Anterior spinal artery

2 posterior spinal arteries

Question 6

what are the segmental arteries derived from

Answer 6

vertebral, intercostal and lumbar arteries

Question 7

where do radicular arteries travel

Answer 7

along the posterior and anterior roots

Question 8

how is blood drained from the spinal cord

Answer 8

longitudinal and segmental veins

Question 9

what is the epidural space

Answer 9

space between the dura mater and the bone containing adipose tissue and the anterior and posterior epidural Venus plexuses

Question 10

where is the primary somatosensory cortex (first place we feel things lol)

Answer 10

Post-central gyrus cortex

sensory - deal with ur feelings AFTER lol

Question 11

what happens to white matter as you descend the spinal cord

Answer 11

it becomes less

Question 12

how do somatic sensory neruons get to the post-central gyrus

Answer 12

ascends via spinal cord

Question 13

what makes up the dorsal column

Answer 13

fascicles gracilis

fascicles cuneatus

Question 14

is the dorsal column ascending or descending

Answer 14

ascending

Question 15

what does the dorsal column/medial lemniscus system do

Answer 15

transmits fine touch information and proprioception up the spinal cord to the brain

Question 16

where do the sensory info in the dorsal column travel

Answer 16

Through the medulla (crosses over at medulla) synapsing in the nucleus gracilis and nucleus cuneas

up through the pons via the medial lemniscus

through the medulla via the medial meniscus

into the thalamus where they synapse again then up into the sensory cortex

Question 17

how many neurons are involved in the dorsal column

Answer 17

3

Question 18

what nerves ascend via the spinothalamic tract

Answer 18

pain
temperature
deep pressure

Question 19

how is information passed up through the spinothalamic tract to the sensory cortex

Answer 19

synapse 1 at the cervical or lumbar cord CROSSES straight away

travels up through the medulla and pons into the midbrain

synapses in the thalamus

then goes onto the sensory cortex

Question 20

where is the primary motor cortex

Answer 20

the precentral gyrus

Question 21

why does the right motor cortex control muscles on the left side of the body

Answer 21

because motor fibres cross the midline

Question 22

what are the ascending tracts

Answer 22

the dorsal column

the spinothalamic tract

Question 23

what are the descending tracts

Answer 23

Corticospinal/Pyramidal tract
Tectospinal tract
Reticulospinal tract
Vestibulospinal tract

Question 24

what travels down the corticospinal tract

Answer 24

fine, precise movement, particularly of distal limb muscles eg. digits

Question 25

why is the corticospinal tract also called the pyramidal

Answer 25

because the tract forms visible ridges on the anterior surface of the medulla

Question 26

where do nerves cross over in the corticospinal tract

Answer 26

straight away at level of entry

Question 27

what are the motor systems outside of the pyramidal tract referred to as

Answer 27

extrapyramidal system

Question 28

what is the tectospinal tract

Answer 28

tract mediating reflex head and neck movement due to visual stimuli

stays in cervical segments

Question 29

what is the internal capsule

Answer 29

white matter area where lots of modalities pass through

Question 30

what is the reticulospinal tract

Answer 30

fibres originate in pons and facilitate extensor movements and inhibit flexor movements

Question 31

vestibulospinal tract

Answer 31

receives info from the vestibular apparatus and gives balance lol

Question 32

what is brown-sequard’s syndrome

Answer 32

hemisection of the spinal cord - depending on where different tracts cross determines where there is weakness and loss of sensation ect

cranial nerve and motor system on one side

reflexes give ipsilateral hyperflexia and extensor plantar reflex

ipsilateral loss of vibratory sensory and proprioception and contralateral loss of temperature