Test 2: Descending Spinal Paths Flashcards
What are the 3 main function classes of descending spinal pathways?
Voluntary movement- internal activation
Automatic movement- more complicated than reflexes; dont need sensory input
Reflex movement- sensory input with motor output
What is an UMN
Motor cortex in origin of a descending path that goes to brainstem/s.c. neurons
What is the function of the lateral corticospinal tract
independant finger pointing
- monosynaptic
- CB in cortex-> rexed IX
What is the function of the rubospinal tract?
gross movement of hand
-CB in red nucleus of midbrain-> rexed VII
What are the 2 paths in the lateral motor system
lateral corticospinal
rubrospinal
Whata re the 4 paths in the medial motor system
ventral corticospinal
reticulospinal x2 (pontine and medullary)
vertibulblospinal x2
tectospinal
What is the function of the ventral corticospinal tract
gross movement of head
- proximal limb/axial muscle control
- cortex to s.c
What is the function of the reticulospinal tracts
helps postural/anticipatory movement
- pontine=postural control
- medullary=locomotion
- retic formation to s.c.
What is the function of the vestibulospinal tracts
posture of head relative to space
-vestib nucleus to s.c.
What is the function of the tectospinal tract
vision controlling neck movements
- tectum to s.c.
- CB superior colliculus to s.c.
What are LMNs
alpha and gamma neurons in brainstem motor nuclei or spinal motor pools
-excitable fibers that produce muscle force
What are gamma vs. alpha LMN?
What is coactivation?
gamma: muscle spindles- intrafusal fibers
alpha: muscle fibers producing force
activate together for proprioceptive feedback during contraction
What is indirect vs. direct control
pyramidal (lamina V)cells control LMN in brainstem or spinal cord– muscle spindles and fibers= direct
pyramidal UMN relay to second UMN in brainstem to then control LMN–initiaites/recruits brainstem UMN
What are examples of indirect motor control via brainstem UMN
Midbrain:
red nucleus- rubrospinal
superior colliculis- tectospinal
Pon/med:
reticular formation-reticulospinal tract
Vestibulonucleus
How do you classify direct control pathways based on the amount of synapses?
monosynaptic: one UMN to LMN
disynaptic: UMN to interneuron (Rex VII or VIII) to LMN
polysynap: UMN to >1 interneuron (Rex VII or VIII) to LMN
What are the 3 medial tracts of medial motor systems in cross sections? Where do they terminate?
ventral corticospinal
medial vestibulospinal
tectospinal–CO
all end in cervical
What are the 3 more lateral tracts of medial motor systems in cross sections? Where do they terminate?
medullary reticulospinal
pontine reticulospinal
lateral vestibulospinal
-all travel entire spinal cord
What is the BA for M1?
BA 4
What CB are in the M1?
lateral corticospinal tract
ventral corticospinal tract
What to the tracts from M1 do? What would a lesion cause?
Volunatary/discrete movements for manipulation/initial movements
-CB innervate multiple LMN pools to recruit agonits
Damage causes weakness
What is the BA for supplamentory motor area?
Pre-motor
BA 6