Spinal Cord: Descending tracts & reflexes Flashcards

1
Q

The primary motor cortex receives input from which 2 areas which lie anterior to it?

A

Supplementary motor area

Pre-motor cortex

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

How many neurons are there in descending motor tracts – what are they?

A

2 – upper motor neuron, lower motor neuron

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is a motor unit?

A

A LMN and the muscle fibres it innervates

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are the 2 main types of LMN and what does each innervate?

A

Alpha motor neurons – innervate motor units of extrafusal fibres

Gamma motor neurons – innervate intrafusal fibres of muscle spindles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Which tract and part of the spinal cord are degenerated in ALS?

A

Corticospinal tract

Ventral horn of the spinal cord

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

In ALS, are there UMN or LMN symptoms?

A

Both (mixed)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Polio affects which type of motor neuron?

A

LMN

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are the 3 main descending motor spinal tracts?

A

Lateral corticospinal tract

Ventral corticospinal tract

Lateral vestibulospinal tract

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the output of the lateral corticospinal tract?

A

Primary motor cortex
Pre-motor cortex
Supplementary motor area

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the output of the ventral corticospinal tract?

A

Primary motor cortex

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the output of the lateral vestibulospinal tract?

A

Vestibular nuclei of pons & medulla

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What does the lateral corticospinal tract control?

A

Major voluntary, skilled motor movement

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What does the ventral corticospinal tract control?

A

Minor motor movement

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What does the lateral vestibulospinal tract control?

A

Extensor muscle control (anti-gravity action)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Where do 80-90% of the descending motor fibres decussate?

Which tract do they descend as?

A

Pyramids of medulla – descend as lateral corticospinal tract

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Where do 10-15% of the descending motor fibres decussate? Which tract do they descend as?

A

Close to termination (at the level of the LMN synapse) – descend ipsilaterally as the ventral corticospinal tract

17
Q

What is the major motor pathway to the face?

A

Corticobulbar tract

18
Q

Would UPM or LMN to the muscles in the head / neck be affected in a brainstem lesion?

A

LMN / LMN signs

19
Q

Would UPM or LMN to the muscles of the body be affected in a brainstem lesion?

A

UMN / UPM signs

20
Q

Would a brainstem lesion cause ipsilateral or contralateral muscle loss in the face (i.e. if the lesion was on the left side of the brainstem)?

A

Ipsilateral – LMN loss in left side of face

21
Q

Would a brainstem lesion cause ipsilateral or contralateral muscle loss in the body (i.e. if the lesion was on the left side of the brainstem)?

A

Contralateral – UPM loss on right side of body

22
Q

Which descending motor tract does not decussate?

A

Lateral vestibulospinal tract

23
Q

Which condition includes a hemi-section of the spinal cord?

A

Brown-Sequard Syndrome

24
Q

What is the name of the reflex that is engaged when you touch something hot?

What muscles does it stimulate and inhibit?

A

Flexor reflex

Stimulates ipsilateral flexors of limb
Inhibits ipsilateral extensors of limb

25
What is the name of the relax that is engaged when you step on a sharp object? What muscles does is stimulate and inhibit?
Crossed extensor reflex Ipsilateral flexor withdrawal Contralateral extensor activation
26
Is spastic paralysis caused by an UMN or LMN lesion?
UMN
27
Is hyper-reflexia caused by an UMN or LMN lesion?
UMN
28
Is clonus caused by an UMN or LMN lesion?
UMN
29
Is extensor plantar response caused by an UMN or LMN lesion?
UMN
30
Is flaccid paralysis caused by an UMN or LMN lesion?
LMN
31
Is hypo-reflexia caused by an UMN or LMN lesion?
LMN
32
Is muscle wasting (atrophy) caused by an UMN or LMN lesion?
LMN
33
Are fasciculations caused by an UMN or LMN lesion?
LMN