Pathways Flashcards
PLR pathway
Light -> retina (area centralis) -> optic nerve -> optic chiasm -> optic tract -> mesencephalic pretecal nucleus (synapse) -> caudal commissure -> mostly contralateral parasympathetic CN III nucleus (midbrain) (in humans called nucleus of Edinger-Westphal) (synapse on GVE LMN) -> oculomotor nerve -> orbital fissure -> ciliary ganglion (synapse with ganglionic neuron cell bodies) -> short ciliary nerves -> ciliary muscle and sphincter of the pupil
Sympathetic innervation of the eye
Preganglionic cell bodies in the lateral grey horn of the T1-3 (4) SCS -> ventral grey column -> ventral roots -> segmental spinal nerve -> ramus communicans -> thoracic sympathetic trunk -> (passing thru cervicothoracic and middle cervical ganglia) -> cervical sympathetic trunk (vagosympathetic trunc located in the carotid sheet) -> cranial cervical ganglion (ventromedial to the bulla) synapse with ganglionic cell bodies -> follow the blood vessels to reach effector organs (pathway not clearly defined) -> exits thru the orbital fissure > orbital muscles of the periorbita, tarsal muscle of the upper, lower and third eyelid, m. dilator pupillae
(also smooth muscles of the blood vessels, sweat glands of the skin in the head/neck area)
General Proprioceptive Pathways for Reflex Activity and Cerebellar Transmission?
TRUNK AND PELVIC LIMB caudal to T1):
–> 1a GP axon -> dorsal grey horn -> 1a axons synapse directly on the GSE alpha motor neuron in the ventral grey horn to complete the reflex arc
Dorsal Spinocerebellar Tract
GP axon to ispilateral dorsal grey horn -> synapse there (nucleus thoracicus/nucleus of the dorsal spinocerebellar tract -> ispilateral dorsal spinocerebellar tract in the lateral funiculus -> caudal cerebellar peduncle -> contralateral cerebellar cortex (vermal and paravermal lobules)
Ventral spinocerebellar tract
GP axon to ispilateral dorsal grey horn -> synapse there (ipsilateral thoracic nucleus) -> axons cross to contralateral ventral spinocerebellar tract of the lateral funiculus -> caudal cerebellar peduncle -> ipsilateral vermal and paravermal lobules (so same side from which the original GP axon started)
THORACIC LIMB
–> GP axon -> dorsal grey horn -> 1a axons synapse directly on the GSE alpha motor neuron in the ventral grey horn to complete the reflex arc
Cuneocerebellar Tract
GP axons to lateral part of dorsal funiculus without synapse (and without entering the dorsal grey horn) -> fasciculus cuneatus -> lateral cunate nucleus (synapse) in the caudal medulla -> caudal cerebellar peduncle to ipsilateral cerebellar cortex
Cranial (Rostral) Spinocerebellar Tract
GP axons thru dorsal root to ispilateral dorsal grey horn -> synapse in the centrobasilar nucleus -> ispilateral cranial (rostral) spinocerebellar tract in lateral funiculus –> rostral and caudal cerebellar peduncle to the cerebellum
NECK
Cervicospinocerebellar Pathway
GP axon thru dorsal root to ispilateral intermediate grey column (C1-4) -> synapse in the central cervical nucleus -> contralateral cervicospinocerebellar pathway in the lateral funiculus -> caudal cerebella peduncle to the cerebellum
Cervicospinovestibular Pathway
–> GP axon thru dorsal root to ispilateral dorsal grey horn –> ispilateral cervicospinovestibular tract of the ventral funiculus -> ipsilateral caudal vestibular nucleus
General Proprioceptive Pathways to the Somesthetic Cortex for Conscious Perception
Nucleus gracilis and cuneatus
GP axons -> dorsal roots -> ispilateral dorsal grey column -> ipsilateral dorsal funiculus (fasciculus gracilis caudal to T6 and fasciculus cuneatus cratnial to T6) -> to nucleus gracilis and medial cuneate nucleus in the caudal medulla (synapse there) –> deep arcuate fibers -> decussation -> medial lemniscus -> ventral caudal lateral nucleus of thalamus (synapse) -> thalamocortical fibers in the internal capsule -> somesthetic cortex (parietal lobe, caudal to the cruciate sulcus) (contralateral to the start of the GP axons)
Lateral cervical nucleus
GP axons -> dorsal roots -> ispilateral dorsal grey column -> nucleus proprius (synapse) -> ipsilateral lateral funiculus -> ispilateral lateral cervical nucleus (C1-2) -> decussation -> medial lemniscus -> ventral lateral caudal nucleus of thalamus (synapse) –> internal capsule -> somesthetic cortex (parietal lobe, caudal to the cruciate sulcus) (contralateral to the start of the GP axons)
Nucleus Z
GP axons -> dorsal grey column -> ispilateral lateral funiculus caudal to cervical intumescence -> nucleus Z of caudal medulla (synapse) -> decussation -> ventral lateral caudal nucleus of thalamus (synapse) –> internal capsule -> somesthetic cortex (parietal lobe, caudal to the cruciate sulcus) (contralateral to the start of the GP axons)
Trigeminal proprioceptive (quintothalamic) pathways
GP receptors in muscles of mastication, facial and extraocular muscles and TMJ -> thru 3 branches of CN V -> trigeminal ganglion (pars petrosa ossis temporalis) without synapse -> mesencephalic nucleus of the CN V (synapse)
From there for
1) reflex activity -> from mesencephalic nucleus of CNV to adjacent GSE nuclei of cranial nerves to synapse on alpha motor neurons
2) concious pathway -> from mesencephalic nucleus of CNV to pontine sensory nucleus of CN V (synapse) -> contralateral trigeminal lemniscus (quintothalamic tract) -> medial lemniscus -> ventral caudal medial nucleus of thalamus (synapse) –> internal capsule –> centrum semiovale –> corona radiata –> somesthetic cortex.
GSA pathway
dendritic zones (free endings) on the surface of the body -> axons (thru named nerves) -> spinal nerves -> dorsal roots -> dorsolateral sulcus to ipsilateral dorsolateral fasciculus (Lissauer tract) to substantia gelatinosa of the apical dorsal grey column - synapse on interneurons there -> deeper into the ipsilateral grey column (synapse again) on either (1) interneurons for reflex activity or (2) interneurons projecting to brainstem for concious percepcion of stimulus
interneuron from grey horn synapse on alpha motor neuron in the ventral grey horn (some of the interneurons’ axons enter the fasciculus proprius and move a few segments cranially and caudally to synapse on alpha motor neurons of these segments (because the withdrawal reflex needs activation of a large number of alpha motor neurons) -> ventral root -> spinal nerve -> ventral branch -> named nerve -> muscle (withdrawal)
Pathway of the thoracic limb flexor reflex
Noxa to digit > nociceptors of radial nerve (dorsally) and median/ulnar nerves palmary > axons of nociceptors thru named nerves > dorsal roots C7, C8, T1 SCS (radial nerve) or C8, T1, T2 SCS (median and ulnar nerves) > branches of axons course cranially and caudally for a few segments in the dorsolateral fasciculus > synapse on interneurons in dorsal grey horn of cervical intumescence > synapse on GSE LMN in the ventral grey horn of these segments that innervate the major flexors of the shoulder (ventral roots and spinal nerve ventral branches of C7,C8, T1 radial and axillary nerves), lexors of the elbow (ventral roots and spinal nerve ventral branches of C6, C7, C8, and the musculocutaneous nerve), and flexors of the carpus and digits (ventral roots and spinal nerve ventral branches of C8, T1, T2, and the median and ulnar nerves).
Pathway of the pelvic limb withdrawal reflex?
Noxa to digits > nociceptors of sciatic nerve digits 3-5 (dorsal for fibular, plantar for tibialis) or saphenous nerve (branch of femoral nerve) digits 1 and 2 > axons thru named nerves > dorsal roots of L4, L5, L6 for fingers 1 or 2, or L6, L7, S1 for fingers 3-5 > branches of axons course cranially and caudally for a few segments in the dorsolateral fasciculus > thru dorsal grey horn to synapse on interneurons > interneurons synapse on GSE LMNs of the lumbar intumescence to innervate flexors of the hip (the ventral roots, the spinal nerve ventral branches of L1 to L6, and the femoral nerve), the flexors of the stifle (ventral roots and spinal nerve ventral branches of L6, L7, S1, and the sciatic nerve), the flexors of the tarsus (ventral roots and spinal nerve ventral branches of L6, L7, and the fibular nerve), and the flexors of the digits (ventral roots and spinal nerve ventral branches of L7, S1, and the tibial nerve).
Nociceptive pathway
Spinothalamic (pain /somatic and visceral/, touch and temperature) - contralateral
Spinocervicothalamic (pain /only somatic/ and touch) - ipsilateral
Stimulus (mechanical, thermal, chemical) > nociceptors > A-delta or C axons (small unmielynated or lightly myelinated) > named nerve > dorsal root > synapse dorsal grey horn (Rexed laminae I throughout VI) > axons cross > thru various tracts (in primates mostly spinothalamic, but domestic species various tracts) > inside the brainstem various synapses with different nuclei of reticular formation to function in the ascending reticular activating system > thalamus synapse (ventral caudal lateral nucleus) > thalamocortical projection fibers > internal capsule > centrum semiovale > corona radiata > somesthetic cortex
Name some important tracts in the nociceptive pathway
- Spinothalamic (primates)
- Dorsal column postsynaptic pathway
- Spinocervicothalamic pathway
- Spinomesencephalic pathway
M.cut.trunci reflex pathway
Stimulus on skin lateral to the dorsal midline > dorsal branches of spinal nerves (1-2 vertebrae cranial to stimulus) > synapse dorsal grey horn interneurons > axons enter the fasciculus proprius bilaterally (mostly contralateral) > C8-T1 synapse on ventral grey horn on GSE neurons > lateral thoracic nerve > cutaneous trunci muscles
Thoraco-laryngeal adduction response (“slap test”)
stimulus (brisk slap to the saddle area of thorax) >
cutanous (dorsal) branches of the ipsilateral segmental cranial thoracic spinal nerves > ipsilateral dorsal grey horn interneurons (synapse) >
crossing (most fibres) >
contralateral fasciculus proprius thru thoracic and cervical spinal cord >
medulla (synapse on GSE-LMN neurons of the contralateral nucleus ambiguous > contralateral n. vagus + internal accesory nerve >
contralateral n. laryngeus reccurens > adduction of the contralateral intrinsic muscles of the larynx (dorsal and lateral) (close the glottis)
Vestibular pathway
Hair cells (crista ampuli, macculae of the sacculi and utriculi > vestibular portion of CN VIII > CN VIII (internal accustic meatus) > vestibular ganglion in pars petrosa ossis temporalis (here are the cell bodies of the bipolar vestibular neurons) > axons pass to rostral medulla at cerebellomedullary angle at the level of the trapezoid body > termination of telodendria either 1) vestibular nuclei of medulla and pons 2) fastigual nucleus of cerebellar medulla or cortex of the flocconodular lobe (enter thru caudal cereb. peduncle)
The visual pathway for concious percepcion
Fotoreceptor cells (rods/cones) > bipolar neurons > ganglion neurons > optic nerve (axons of ganglion neurons) > optic chiasm (decussation, the axons of the medial/nasal ganglion neurons cross) > optic tracts > lateral geniculate nucleus (about 80% of axons synapse) > internal capsule > optic radiation > visual cortex (occipital lobe)
The visual pathway - reflex pathway of PLR
Fotoreceptor cells (rods/cones) > bipolar neurons > ganglion neurons > optic nerve (axons of ganglion neurons) > optic chiasm (decussation, the axons of the medial/nasal ganglion neurons cross) > optic tracts > lateral geniculate nucleus (the 20% of axons that didnt synapse here for concious vision perception pass over the nucleus) > mesencephalic pretecal nucleus > caudal commisure > contralateral GVE parasympathetic motor nucleus of CN III > oculomotor nerve -> orbital fissure -> ciliary ganglion (synapse with ganglionic neuron cell bodies) -> short ciliary nerves -> ciliary muscle and sphincter of the pupil
The menace pathway
Retina (rods,cones) > bipolar neurons > ganglion neurons > optic nerve > optic chiasm > optic tract > lateral geniculate nucleus > optic radiation > visual cortex > internal capsule association fibers > motor cortex > internal capsule projection fiber > crus cerebri > longitudinal fibers of the pons > pontine nucleus > transverse fibers of the pons and middle cerebellar peduncle > cerebellar cortex > efferent cerebellar pathway > facial nuclei > facial muscles, orbicularis oculi
Sound pathway
Sound waves > external ear canal > tympanum > maleus > incus > stapes > vestibular (oval) window > perylimph of scala vestibuli > basialr membrane > hair cells of spiral organ (organ of Corti) > generation of impulse in the cochlear neurons (cell body in the spiral ganglion) > axons to internal acoustic meatus (joining with the vestibular division of CN VIII) > dorsal and ventral cochlear nuclei (lateral side of the medulla near the junction of pons and medulla, synapse in these nuclei) >
1) pathway for conscious perception of sound > from cochlear nuclei > acoustic stria to ventral and dorsal nuclei of the trapezoid body> lateral lemniscus and nucleus > caudal colliculus (synapse) > medial geniculate nucleus (synapse) > internal capsule, centrum semiovale, corona radiata > mainly contralateral auditory cortex of the temporal lobe (sylvian and ectosylvian gyrus)
2) Middle ear reflex (stapedius reflex): Reflex activity for control of the mobility of the ear ossicles > from cochlear nuclei
1) > motor nucleus of the trigeminal nerve > trigeminal nerve > tensor tympani muscle
2) facial nucleus > facial nerve > stapedius muscle
3) Acoustic startle reflex:
Although the caudal colliculus is a center for the auditory reflex, its action requires the rostral colliculus, where efferents of the auditory cortex and caudal colliculus are integrated with visual information.
Caudal colliculus > periaqueductal grey > Rostral colliculus > medial tectospinal tract that reaches lower motor neurons in the brain stem and cervical spinal cord > the motor nuclei that turn the head, eyes, and body in response to sound or visual stimuli (flashes of light, motion of an object).
Sleep pathway/circuit: awake state
Light to retina > optic nerves > activation of neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (ventral hypothalamus) > ventrolateral nucleus of the hypothalamus (synapse) > diffusely to prosencephalon and brainstem and release hypocretin > neurons of locus coeruleus and dorsal raphe nucleus activated by hypocretin > locus coeruleus (norepinephrine) and DRN (serotonin) > inhibition of the pontine reticular formation (no release of acetylcholin at synapse with neurons of medulary reticular formation center) > no activation of the medullary reticular formation which inhibits the GSE-LMN -> no inhibition of the GSE-LMN
When these neurons are inactive, the pontomedullary centers are released from inhibition > they release AcH and activate the medullary reticular formation which releases an unknown neurotransmitter and inhibits the GSE-LMN causing atonia of paradoxical (REM) sleep
Body and ocular reflex
Certain neurons in the rostral colliculus of the midbrain respond preferentially to flashes of light or motion of an object, triggering the head and eye to respond. The rostral colliculus is also the site where efferents of the auditory cortex and caudal colliculus are integrated with visual information.
The visual reflex is mediated by the medial tectospinal tract that originates in the
rostral colliculus. The medial tectospinal tract crosses to the contralateral side in the midbrain before descending to the ventral funiculus of the cervical segments of the spinal cord. Some fibers of the medial tectospinal tract innervate the cervical spinal motor nuclei to trigger reflex responses of the head and body to flashes of light or motion of an object.
