Spinal Pathways

Question 1

List origins of Dorsal Column

Answer 1

1. Fasciculus Gracilis (lower body)

2. Fasciculus Cuneatus (upper body)

Question 2

Dorsal Column Function

Answer 2

Carries SENSORY INFO for discriminative touch, pressure, vibration, proprioception, and kinesthesia to the cortex

Question 3

Decussation of Dorsal Columns

Answer 3

Caudal Medulla Level

Question 4

Dorsal Columns: What happens when the spinal cord is completely severed?

Answer 4

Bilateral loss of sensation: discriminative touch, pressure, vibration, proprioception, and kinesthesia (below level of lesion)

Question 5

Dorsal Columns: What happens when there is a complete severance of one side of the SC?

Answer 5

Ipsilateral loss (discriminative touch, pressure, vibration, proprioception, and kinesthesia) below lesion

Ex: If the right spinal cord is severed at T1, right sided discriminative touch, pressure, vibration, proprioception, and kinesthesia loss below lesion

Question 6

Dorsal Columns: What happens when one side of the brainstem (at or above medulla) is completely injured?

Answer 6

Contralateral loss (discriminative touch, pressure, vibration, proprioception, and kinesthesia) below lesion.

Ex: Right side medulla injured, loss of discriminative touch, pressure, vibration, proprioception, and kinesthesia on left side

Question 7

Dorsal Columns: What happens when lesion in the cortex?

Answer 7

Contralateral loss of discriminative touch, pressure, vibration, proprioception, and kinesthesia

Question 8

Spinothalamic Tract: Origin

Answer 8

Dorsal Horn

Question 9

Spinothalamic Tract: Function

Answer 9

Carries conscious sensory information to the cortex regarding pain and temperature

Question 10

Spinothalamic Tract: Decussation

Answer 10

Crosses as soon as the spinal nerve enters the cord

Question 11

Spinothalamic Tract: What happens when there is a complete severance of the SC?

Answer 11

Bilateral loss of sensation: pain and temperature (below the severed cord level)

Question 12

Spinothalamic Tract: What happens when there is a complete severance of one side of the SC?

Answer 12

At the lesion level: bilateral sensory loss regarding pain and temperature
Below the lesion level: contralateral sensory loss regarding pain and temperature

Question 13

Spinothalamic Tract: What happens when there is a complete severance of one side of the brainstem?

Answer 13

Contralateral sensory loss regarding pain and temperature

Question 14

Spinothalamic Tract: What happens when there is a unilateral lesion of the postcentral gyrus?

Answer 14

Contralateral sensory loss regarding pain and temperature

Question 15

Spinoreticular Tract: Function

Answer 15

Arousal, attention, and sleep/wake cycles; Chronic, aching pain; (SENSORY TRACT)

Question 16

Spinoreticular Tract: Origin and Destination

Answer 16

Origin: Spine
Destination: Reticular Formation (brainstem)

Question 17

Spinocerebellar Tract: Function

Answer 17

Adjusting movement, unconscious proprioception (SENSORY TRACT) – example: standing upright instead of falling

Question 18

Spinocerebellar Tract: Origin and Destination

Answer 18

Origin: Spine
Destination: Cerebellum

Question 19

Reticulospinal Tract: Function

Answer 19

Bilateral postural muscles and gross limb movement for walking (motor tract)

Question 20

Vestibulospinal Tract: Function

Answer 20

Neck and upper back muscles, postural musculature (motor tract)

Question 21

Tectospinal Tract: Function

Answer 21

Postural movements (reflexive) (Motor tract)

Question 22

Corticospinal Tract: Function

Answer 22

Fine motor movement

Question 23

Rubrospinal Tract

Answer 23

gross motor movement