Spinal Tracts

Question 1

Ascending Tracts (sensory)

Answer 1

DCML
Spinothalamic
Spinocerebellar

Question 2

Descending Tracts (motor)

Answer 2

Corticospinal
Reticulospinal
Vestibulospinal Tract
Tectospinal

Question 3

DCML (Sensory)

Answer 3

Fine touch
Proprioception

Fibres cross in the medulla

Question 4

Spinothalamic (Sensory)

Answer 4

Pain
Temperature
Deep pressure

Fibres cross segmentally

Question 5

Corticospinal (Pyramidal - motor)

Answer 5

Fine, precise movement
Tract forms ‘pyramids’ on the anterior surface of medulla

85% cross at medulla
Crossed fibres = lateral CST
Uncrossed fibres = ventral CST (cross segmentally)

Question 6

Reticulospinal Tract (Motor)

Answer 6

Formation from central core of brainstem
Fibres originate in areas of the reticular formation in pons and medulla.

Fibres in pons - facilitates extensor, inhibits flexor
Fibres in medulla - facilitates flexor, inhibits extensor

Question 7

Vestibulospinal (Motor)

Answer 7

Antigravity muscles

Fibres originate in vestibular nuclei of pons and medulla