Spinal Cord

Question 1

1a and Function

Answer 1

Pyramidal Tract- Lateral Corticospinal Tract

Function: Motor Pathway for contralateral voluntary fine motor movement

Question 2

1b and Function

Answer 2

Pyramidal Tract- Anterior Corticospinal Tract

Function: Motor Pathway for ipsilateral voluntary movement

Question 3

2a and Function

Answer 3

Extrapyramidal Tract- Rubrospinal Tract

Function: Motor Pathway for gross postural tone

Question 4

2b and Function

Answer 4

Extrapyramidal Tract- Reticulospinal Tract

Function: mainly in locomotion and postural control

Question 5

2c and Function

Answer 5

Extrapyramidal Tract- Vestibulospinal Tract

Function: Motor pathway for ipsilateral gross postural adjustments associated with head movements

Question 6

2d and Function

Answer 6

Extrapyramidal Tract- Olivospinal Tract

Function: Unknown

Question 7

3a and Function

Answer 7

Dorsal Column Medial Meniscus- Gracile fasciculus

Function: Sensory pathway for LE/lower trunk joint proprioception, vibration, kinesthesia, 2-point discrimination, graphesthesia, fine/discriminatory touch (monofilaments), Barognosis (pressure), sterognosis (ability to detect objects)

Question 8

3b and Function

Answer 8

Dorsal Column Medial Meniscus- Cuneate fasciculus

Function: Sensory pathway for UE upper trunk and neck joint. Function: Sensory pathway for LE/lower trunk joint proprioception, vibration, kinesthesia, 2-point discrimination, graphesthesia, fine/discriminatory touch (monofilaments), Barognosis (pressure), sterognosis (ability to detect objects)

Kinesthetic awareness test-Extremity or joint in question is moved through small increments of motions in multiple directions. The patient is educated on the directions, and then the patient’s eyes are closed. The joint is moved into the different positions randomly, and the patient is requested to determine if the joint/extremity is moved down, up, out, or in. The patient is tested when the joint is in motion NOT at rest.

Proprioception Test- Extremity or joint in question is moved through small increments of motions in multiple directions. The patient is educated on the directions, and then the patient’s eyes are closed. The joint is moved into the different positions randomly, and the patient is requested to determine if the joint/extremity is moved down, up, out, or in. The patient is tested when the joint has been placed in a specific position.

Testing Barognosis- Procedure: A set of discrimination weights is used and placed into the hand(s) of the patient one at a time or simultaneously. The patient is asked to compare the weights of the objects, indicating “heavier” or “lighter.”

Question 9

4a and Function

Answer 9

Spinocerebellar Tracts- Posterior spinocerebellar tract

Function: Sensory pathway for ipsi and contralateral subconscious proprioception

Question 10

4b and function

Answer 10

Spinocerebellar Tracts- Anterior spinocerebellar tract

Function: Function: Sensory pathway for ipsilateral subconscious proprioception

Question 11

5a and function

Answer 11

Anterolateral System- Lateral Spinothalamic tract

Function: pain, temp

Test with warm vs cold water test tubes

and/or

Sharp/dull discrimination with safety pin

*CROSSES 2-4 LEVELS ABOVE SPINAL LEVEL*

Question 12

5b and function

Answer 12

Anterolateral System- Anterior Spinothalamic tract

Function: Sensory pathway for crude touch and light touch

(Finger or cottonball pressure test)

*CROSSES 2-4 LEVELS ABOVE SPINAL LEVEL*

Question 13

6 and function

Answer 13

Spino-Olivary Fibers

Function: Sensory information to cerebellum