Spinal Reflexes and Upper Motor Neurones

Question 1

What do spinal interneurones receive input from?

Answer 1

Primary sensory axons
Descending axons
Branches of LMNs
Other interneurones

Question 2

What do inhibitory interneurones mediate?

Answer 2

Inverse myotatic response

Reciprocal inhibition between extensor/flexor muscles

Question 3

What is reciprocal inhibition?

Answer 3

When inhibitory interneurones inhibit the alpha motor neurones supplying the antagonist muscles allowing unopposed movement

Question 4

What do excitatory interneurones mediate?

Answer 4

Flexor reflex

Crossed extensor reflex

Question 5

What is the major lateral pathway in the spinal cord?

Answer 5

Corticospinal (pyramidal)

Question 6

The majority of fibres in the corticospinal tract cross at the pyramids to form what?

Answer 6

Lateral corticospinal

Question 7

What is the function of the vestibulospinal tract?

Answer 7

Maintain balanced posture

Head and neck movements

Question 8

Where are the cell bodies of the tectospinal tract found?

Answer 8

Superior colliculus

Question 9

What is the function of the tectospinal tract?

Answer 9

Head and eye orientation

Question 10

What is the function of the lateral reticulospinal tract?

Answer 10

Helps to maintain posture

Question 11

The medial reticulospinal tract works with the lateral reticulospinal tract. True/false?

Answer 11

False - works in opposition