Spinal Tract functions and anatomy

Question 1

senses fine touch

Answer 1

Dorsal Column

Question 2

sense pressure

Answer 2

Dorsal Column
&
ANTERIOR Spinothalamic tract

Question 3

sense vibration & Propioception

Answer 3

Dorsal Column

Question 4

sense pain & temperature

Answer 4

LATERAL

Spinothalamic tract

Question 5

senses crude touch

Answer 5

ANTERIOR

Spinothalamic tract

Question 6

Dorsal Column’s 1st order neuron is what type and where is its cell body.

Answer 6

Pseudo-unipolar

DRG

Question 7

Spinothalamic’s 1st order neuron is what type and where is its cell body.

Answer 7

Pseudo-unipolar

DRG

Question 8

What is the function of the Lateral Corticospinal tract

(LCST) ?

Answer 8

voluntary movement of contralateral limbs

Question 9

Where does the Dorsal Column synapse 1st?

Answer 9

Ipsilateral Nucleus Gracilis/Cuneatus

in the caudal medulla

Question 10

Where does the Dorsal Column 2nd order neuron Decussate and go from there?

Answer 10

In the Caudal Medulla
ascends CONTRALATERALLY
as the Medial Lemniscus
to the VPL (Thalamus)

Question 11

Where does the Spinothalamic Tract synapse 1st?

Answer 11

Ipsilateral dorsal (posterior) horn of the spinal cord’s gray matter.

Question 12

Where does the Spinothalamic Tract 2nd order neuron Decussate and go from there?

Answer 12

Decussates in the spinal cord via the Anterior White Commisure and ascends contralaterally via STT.
It goes to the VPL (thalamus)

Question 13

How does the pain/ temperature 1st order neuron enter the spinal cord?

Answer 13

via Lissauer’s tract

Question 14

What are the 2 pain free nerve endings?

Answer 14

3 Alpha Deltaᵟ for sharp FAST pain (myelinated)

4C for throbbing, SLOW pain (unmyelinated)

Question 15

Which tract is a descending/ efferent tract?

Answer 15

LCST

Question 16

Where does the LCST/CST synapse 1st?

Answer 16

UMN synapses with LMN at the Anterior (Ventral) horn of the spinal cord gray matter

Question 17

Where does the LMN synapse to?

Answer 17

NMJ muscle fiber

Question 18

Where is the UMN cell body located?

Answer 18

Primary motor cortex aka Pre-central Gyrus

Question 19

How does the UMN fiber descend?

Answer 19

Descends ipsilaterally through the posterior limb (motor only) of the internal capsule and cerebral peduncle

Question 20

Where does the UMN decussate?

Answer 20

Caudal Medulla Pyramids

descends contralaterally now via LCST