Spinal Tracts Flashcards

1
Q

Cervical enlargement

A

Cervical swelling
Due to the emergence of the nerves of the brachial plexus
Extra inputs and outputs for the arms

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2
Q

Lumbar enlargement

A

Lumbar swelling
Due to emergence of nerves of the lumbar plexus
Extra inputs and outputs for the legs

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3
Q

Conus medullaris

A

At level L2
Spinal cord terminates by tapering to a conus medullaris
Below L2 is filled with the nerves roots from the lumbosacral spine

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4
Q

Filum terminale internum

A

Thin connective tissue
Anchors the spinal cord

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5
Q

Sensory pathways

A

Information from sensory receptors to the brain
Conscious - reach cerebral cortex
Unconscious - dont reach cerebral cortex, Proprioception information, delivered to cerebellum

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6
Q

Sensory receptors: free nerve endings

A

Widespread, especially in epithelia and connective tissues
Pain
Heat
Cold

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7
Q

Sensory receptors: tactile discs (merkel)

A

Stratum basale of epidermis
Light touch
Texture
Edges
Shapes

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8
Q

Sensory receptors: hair receptors (hair cell plexus)

A

Around hair follicle
Movement of hair

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9
Q

Sensory receptors: tactile corpuscles (meissner’s)

A

Dermal papillae of fingertips, palms, eyelids, lips, tongue, nipples, genital
Light touch
Texture

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10
Q

Sensory receptors: Krause end bulbs

A

Mucous membrane
Similar to tactile corpuscles
Light touch
Texture

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11
Q

Sensory receptors: lamellated corpuscles (pacinian)

A

Dermis, joint capsules, breasts, genitals, some visceral
Deep pressure
Stretch
Tickle
Vibration

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12
Q

Sensory receptors: Ruffini corpuscles

A

Dermis, subcutaneous tissue, joint capsules
Heavy touch
Pressure
Stretching of skin
Joint movement

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13
Q

Sensory receptors: muscle spindles

A

Skeletal muscle near tendon
Muscle stretch (Proprioception)

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14
Q

Sensory receptors: Golgi tendon organ

A

Tendons
Tension on tendons (Proprioception)

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15
Q

Sensory receptors: kinaesthetic receptors

A

Position and movement of muscles and joints

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16
Q

Generic sensory pathway: first order neurone

A

Connects sensory receptors to spinal cord via posterior (dorsal) nerve roots
Cell bodies lie in the posterior (dorsal) root ganglia of the spinal nerves

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17
Q

Generic sensory pathway: second order neurone

A

Connects spinal cord to the to the thalmus
Cell bodies lie in the dorsal horn/grey matter of spinal cord

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18
Q

Generic sensory pathway: third order neurone

A

Connects the thalamus to the ipsilateral portion of the somatosensory cortex
Cell bodies lie in the thalamus

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19
Q

Spinothalemic pathway (direct): first order neurone

A

Connects sensory receptors to spinal cord via posterior (dorsal) nerve roots
Cell bodies lie in the posterior (dorsal) root ganglia of the spinal nerves

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20
Q

Spinothalemic pathway (direct): second order neurone

A

Connects spinal cord to the thalamus
Cell bodies lie in the dorsal horn/grey matter of the spinal cord
Decussate in the spinal cord across the midline

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21
Q

Spinothalemic pathway (direct): third order neurone

A

Connects the thalamus to the ipsilateral portion of the somatosensory cortex
Cell bodies lie in the thalamus

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22
Q

Ventral spinothalemic

A

Crude touch

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23
Q

Lateral spinothalemic

A

Pain
Temperature

24
Q

Spinothalemic damage

A

Life side spinal cord injury causes loss of sense of - touch, pain, warmth/cold in the right leg/side
Sensory loss in the controlateral side

25
Spinothalemic pathway (indirect)
Autonomic processes and unconscious Synapses at - reticular formation, hypothalamus, limbic system, periaqueductal grey
26
Dorsal white column
Column of fibres found posteriorly
27
Dorsal column pathway: first order neurone
Connects sensory receptors to the spinal cord via posterior (dorsal) nerve roots Cell bodies lie in the posterior (dorsal) root ganglia of spinal nerves
28
Dorsal column pathway: second order neurone
Decussation in medulla oblongata - crosses over to Contralateral side Cell bodies lie in the medulla oblongata
29
Dorsal column pathway: third order neurone
Connects thalamus to the ipsilateral portion of the somatosensory cortex Cell bodies lie in the thalamus
30
Fasciculus cuneatus
Dorsal column Columns of nerves to the upper limbs
31
Fasciculus gracalis
Dorsal column Columns of nerves to the lower limbs
32
Dorsal column damage
Left side spinal cord injury causes loss of sense of - touch, Proprioception, vibration in left leg Sensory loss in the ipsilateral side
33
Spinocerebellar pathway
From body to spine then to cerebellum Doesn’t go to somatosensory cortex Cerebellum not consciously aware of information Two neurones Stay on ipsilateral side
34
Spinocerebellar pathway: first order neurone
Connects sensory receptors to spinal cord via posterior (dorsal) nerve roots Cell bodies lie in the posterior (dorsal) root ganglia of spinal nerves
35
Spinocerebellar pathway: second order neurone
From the grey matter of the spinal cord through the medulla to the cerebellum Cell bodies lie in the spinal cord
36
Spinocerebellar tract damage
Cerebellar ataxia Clumsy movements Wide-based, reeling gait Acute use - enhance GABA (inhibitory) suppress glutamate (excitatory) Lack of coordination
37
Generic motor pathways: upper motor neurone
Originate in cerebral cortex/motor centres of brainstem Some decussate in brain stem Descend down spinal cord until it reaches lower motor neurone or interneurone
38
Generic motor pathways: lower motor neurone
From spinal cord via ventral roots to innervate skeletal muscles Cell bodies lie in the ventral grey matter of spinal cord
39
Pyramidal pathways
Direct Conscious From cerebral cortex to skeletal muscle Voluntary movement UMN (cortical cell body in motor cortex) -> interneurone -> LMN (ventral horn/root)
40
Corticospinal pyramidal pathway: upper motor neurone
From cerebral cortex to form pyramids of the medulla oblongata 90% - decussate at medulla oblongata and travel in the lateral and anterior white column of the spinal cord, control limbs 10% - decussate at segmental level, control muscles of back/trunk
41
Corticospinal pyramidal pathway: lower motor neurone
Exit spinal cord via ventral spinal roots Travel to muscle that control limbs or back
42
Corticospinal pyramidal pathway: Lateral fibres
Control fine movements
43
Corticospinal pyramidal pathway: anterior/ventral fibres
Control larger movements
44
Corticobulbar pyramidal pathway
Controls the upper neck and face
45
Corticobulbar pyramidal pathway: upper motor neurone
From the motor cortex for the face and tongue to the pons (brainstem)
46
Corticobulbar pyramidal pathway: lower motor neurone
Cranial nerves
47
Extrapyramidal pathways
Indirect Subconscious/unconscious e.g. balance Indirect tracts from brainstem to various effects causing involuntary movement No connection from higher cortical areas UMN in brain stem Modifies movements - modulators action on LMN
48
Rubrospinal tract (extrapyramidal)
Upper limbs - fine motor coordination Activation facilitates flexors and inhibits extensors
49
Rubrospinal tract (extrapyramidal): upper motor neurone
Originate in red nucleus (mid brain) Decussate in the brainstem Descends to terminate in the grey matter of spinal cord
50
Rubrospinal tract (extrapyramidal): lower motor neurone
Exit in spinal nerves of cervical spine Travel to muscles that control the distal portion of the limbs
51
Tectospinal tract (extrapyramidal)
Relays motor impulses to muscles of the head and trunk in response to visual or auditory stimulation Controlling neck muscles Head eye coordination Visual/auditory feedback
52
Tectospinal tract (extrapyramidal): upper motor neurone
Originate in superior colliculus (mid brain) Decussate in the mid brain Descends to terminate in the grey matter of cervical spinal cord
53
Tectospinal tract (extrapyramidal): lower motor neurone
Travel to the muscles that control the head, neck and back
54
Vestibulospinal tract (extrapyramidal)
Maintaining upright posture and balance Extensors of lower limb Projects ipsilaterally
55
Vestibulospinal tract (extrapyramidal): upper motor neurone
Descends from vestibular nucleus (information from inner ear about gravity, pressure and balance) Terminated in the grey matter of spinal cord
56
Vestibulospinal tract (extrapyramidal): lower motor neurone
Travel to the muscles that control the trunk and proximal portions of the limbs
57
Reticulospinal tract (extrapyramidal)
Maintaining posture when the body is in motion Motor function Autonomic functions e.g. cardiac output, respiratory function Suppression of spinal reflexes Adjust voluntary movements Pain modulation Reticular formation - filtering system, locomotion, posture, sensory information