Neurology anatomy

Question 1

The Dorsal Column/Medial Lemniscus System

Answer 1

• Fine touch and conscious proprioception (particular from the upper limb).

Question 2

Dorsal Column/Medial Lemniscus System cross at?

Answer 2

medulla

Question 3

fasciculus gracilis (nucleus gracilis)

Answer 3

lower half of the body

Question 4

fasciculus cuneatus

Answer 4

upper limbs and torso

Question 5

The Dorsal Column/Medial Lemniscus System 2nd pathway called?

Answer 5

medial lemniscus

Question 6

medial lemniscus synapses where?

Answer 6

ventral posterolateral nucleus, or VPL

Question 7

Spinothalamic Tract

Answer 7

pain, temperature, deep pressure, crude touch

Question 8

Spinothalamic Tract cross over occur

Answer 8

one or two vertebrae above or below within Lissauers fasciculus

anterior white commissure

Question 9

second neuron cell body in the dorsal horn of Spinothalamic Tract

Answer 9

substantia gelatinosa

Question 10

anterior spinothalamic tract

Answer 10

crude touch

Question 11

lateral spinothalamic tract

Answer 11

pain and temperature

Question 12

Spinocerebellar pathway

Answer 12

unconscious proprioceptive information to the cerebellum, in order to coordinate posture and the movement of the lower limb and upper limb musculature.

Question 13

Spinocerebellar pathways 3 types

Answer 13

Dorsal/posterior spinocerebellar
Cuneocerebellar
Ventral/anterior spinocerebellar

Question 14

Corticospinal tract

Answer 14

Fine, precise movement, particularly of distal limb muscles (e.g. digits and piano).

Question 15

Corticospinal tract crosses?

Answer 15

Pyramids on the medulla

• crossed form lateral CST - distal muscles
• Uncrossed form Ventral CST (cross segmentally)

Question 16

damage to corticospinal tracts causes?

Answer 16

UMN signs

Question 17

Rubrospinal tract:

Answer 17

red nucleus in the midbrain.

It excites flexor muscles and inhibits extensor muscles of the upper body.

Question 18

Corticobulbar Tract

Answer 18

upper motor neurone of the cranial nerves, to provide innervation of the face, head and neck. They innervate cranial motor nuclei bilaterally; however, two exceptions are the hypoglossal nuclei and lower facial nuclei which are innervated contralaterally only.

This includes fibres to the motor nuclei of CN’s V, VII, X, and XII.

Question 19

Tectospinal tract

Answer 19

mostly to cervical segments.

Thought to mediate reflex head and neck movement due to visual stimuli.

Begins in the superior colliculus in the mid brain (posterior portion: tectum (means roof): behind cerebral aqueduct

It co-ordinates movements of head and neck to vision stimuli.

Close relationship with visual system

Question 20

Reticulospinal Tract

Answer 20

• forms the central core of the brainstem.
• Originates from the reticular formation in the medulla and pons:
• It has many nuclei and receives input from virtually all parts of the CNS
• Fibres originating in pons facilitate extensor movements and inhibit flexor movements,
• The medullary reticulospinal tract inhibits extensor and facilitates flexor.

Question 21

Vestibulospinal Tract

Answer 21

• Excitatory input to “antigravity” extensor muscles.
• Fibres originate in the vestibular nuclei of pons and medulla (these in turn receive input from vestibular apparatus and cerebellum).