Spinal Cord And Descending Tracks

Question 1

What is the role of the cerebellum and basal ganglia

Answer 1

To modulate motor output

Question 2

Describe the spinal cord

Answer 2

There are 31 pairs of spinal nerves

Each spinal nerve consists of a ventral (motor) and dorsal (sensory) root

Question 3

The spinal cord:somatotopic arrangement

Answer 3

Somatotopy is the point for reference of a part of the body in the central nervous system

Proximal and distal muscles are represented in proximal and distal spinal cord

Question 4

Describe the corticospinal tract

Answer 4

1.largest descending tract also known as the pyramidal tract

Responsible for voluntary control of movement

Contains direct and indirect connections to motor neurons

2.direct pathways contain lateral and anterior/central aspects

90% of corticospinal pathways are lateral

Question 5

Lateral corticospinal tract:

Answer 5

1.projects from motor cortex to spinal cord
2.upper motor neuron descends through the cerebral penducles in the midbrain
3. Descends through the lateral corticospinal tract

Question 6

What is the babinski sign

Answer 6

Babinski sign occurs when stimulation of the lateral plantar aspect of the foot leads to extension (dorsiflexion or upward movement) of the big toe (hallux)

Question 7

What is the cotricobulbar tract

Answer 7

Forms connections from the motor cortex to brainstem

Question 8

Describe the rubrospinal tract

Answer 8

Primary function is voluntary control of muscle

It can also compensate for damage to the corticospinal tract

Question 9

Describe the reticulospinal tract

Answer 9

Coordinates many body functions for survival

Includes lateral and medial tracts

Projects to somatic and autonomic neurons