Spinal Tracts Flashcards

1
Q

What are the two ascending (sensory) tracts?

A

Dorsal Column Medial Lemniscus

Spinothalamic Tract

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2
Q

What modalities does the DCML tract carry?

A

Conscious proprioception
Vibration Sense
Fine Touch

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3
Q

What modalities does the spinothalamic tract carry?

A

Pain
Temperature
Deep Pressure

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4
Q

What is the DCML split into?

A

Fasciculus cuneatus

Fasciculus gracilis

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5
Q

What does the fasciculus cuneatus supply?

A

Upper limb

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6
Q

What does the fasciculus gracilis supply?

A

Lower limb

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7
Q

Describe the course of the DCML

A

Enters the spinal cord, travels up the ipsilateral side
Fibres decussate in the medulla
Second order neurone travels up as far as the VP thalamus
Third order neurone travels to the sensory cortex

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8
Q

Describe the course of the spinothalamic tract

A

Enters the spinal cord, fibres immediately decussate
Second order neurone travels up the contralateral side to the VP thalamus
Third order neurone travels to the sensory cortex

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9
Q

What are the five descending (motor) tracts?

A
Corticospinal 
Reticulospinal 
Vestibulospinal 
Tectospinal 
Rubrospinal
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10
Q

What modality does the corticospinal tract carry?

A

Fine precise movement

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11
Q

What is the corticospinal tract split into?

A

Lateral and anterior
Lateral fibres are formed of fibres which decussate in the medulla
Anterior fibres are formed of fibres which decussate in the spinal cord

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12
Q

Where does the lateral corticospinal tract decussate?

A

The medulla

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13
Q

What is the reticulospinal tract split into?

A

Lateral and medial tracts

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14
Q

What modality does the medial reticulospinal tract carry?

A

Facilitates voluntary movements

Increases tone

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15
Q

What modality does the lateral reticulospinal tract carry?

A

Inhibits voluntary movements

Decreases tone

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16
Q

Describe the course of the medial reticulospinal tract

A

Cell bodies are found in the pons

Descend on ipsilateral side and decussate a the spinal level

17
Q

Describe the course of the lateral reticulospinal tract

A

Cell bodies are found in the medulla

Descend bilaterally and decussate at the spinal level

18
Q

What modality does the vestibulospinal tract carry?

A

Innervates the anti-gravity muscles

19
Q

What is the vestibulospinal tract split into?

What is the distinction between the two

A

Lateral - supply to the lumbar spinal cord, cell bodies in pons

Medial - supply to the cervical spinal cord, cell bodies in medulla

20
Q

What modality does the tectospinal tract carry?

A

Mediates head and neck reflex due to visual stimuli

21
Q

Describe the course of the tectospinal tract

A

Fibres decussate quickly in the midbrain

Descend on contralateral side to cervical level

22
Q

What modality does the rubrospinal tract carry?

A

Control over limb flexor muscle

23
Q

Describe the course of the rubrospinal tract

A

Cell bodies found in the red nucleus
Axons decussate in the midbrain
Descend on contralateral side