Neurology: Lecture 2- UMN

Question 0

Tell me some shit about UMN

-they are involved in?

Answer 0

• cell bodies in cerebral cortex or brainstem
• axons descend in white matter of spinal cord, synapsing in ventral horn grey matter with local circuit neurons
• initiating, maintaining (and planning) sequences of voluntary movements
• UMN arising within brain stem involved with regulation of muscle gone, control of posture and basic “navigational” movements

Question 1

With reference to the anatomical location and function, compare the main differences between upper and lower motor neurons.

Answer 1

P

Peripheral nerves are lower motor neurons

Question 2

Ventromedial UMN tracts
Which tracts are located here?
What are they involved in?
We’re do they originate and were do they descend?

Answer 2

Vestibulospinal tract
Reticule spinal tract
Tectospinal tract
Ventral corticospinal tract
Involved with maintenance of balance and posture
From origins in brain stem, descends in ventrimedial columns of spinal cord white matter

Question 3

Describe the organisation of the LMN in the spinal cord
cell bodies of axial muscles are were?
cell bodies of limb musculature are were?

Answer 3

• cell bodies of neurons innervating axial (postural trunk) and proximal limb musculature are ventromedial
• cell bodies of neurons innervating distal limb musculature progressively more dorsolateral
• important when considering which structures may be affected by spinal cord injuries or disease.
• long distance LCN are medial
• short distance LCN are lateral
• axons extend over <5 cord segments
• terminate ipsilateralky

Question 4

Vestibule spinal tract 
Originate we're? 
Recieves input from we're?
Descends ipsilaterally/contra laterally 
Function 
Terminates?

Answer 4

Slide 12

Question 5

Reticule spinal tract

Answer 5

Slide 14

Question 6

Tectospinal tract

Answer 6

Slide 16

Question 7

Dorsal UMN tracts
What are tracts names?
Involved with?

Answer 7

17

Question 8

Corticospinal tract (CST)

Answer 8

18 and 19