White matter pathways

Question 1

Three major types of white matter pathways

Answer 1

Projection fibres
Association fibres
Commisural fibres

Question 2

Fibres which connect higher and lower centres of the brain

Answer 2

Projection fibres

Question 3

Fibres which connect different regions within the same hemisphere of the brain

Answer 3

Association fibres

Question 4

Fibres which connect similar regions of opposite hemispheres

Answer 4

Commisural fibres

Question 5

Largest bundle of fibres which connect the two cerebral hemispheres

Answer 5

Corpus callosum

Question 6

Fibres which connect the two olfactory bulbs

Answer 6

Anterior commisure

Question 7

Fibres which connect the two hemispheres of the midbrain

Answer 7

Posterior commisure

Question 8

Fibres which connect the posterior dorsal thalamic nuclei

Answer 8

Hippocampal commisure

Habenular commisure

Question 9

Most posterior part of the corpus callosum

Answer 9

Splenium

Question 10

Features of disruption to the splenium

Answer 10

Alexia
Inability to name colours
Preserved ability to copy words

Question 11

White matter tract that connects the hippocampus to the hypothalamus

Answer 11

Fornix

Question 12

White matter tract that connects Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas

Answer 12

Arcuate fasciculus

Question 13

Features of damage to the arcuate fasciculus

Answer 13

Conduction aphasia - inability to repeat words

Question 14

Type of tract the corticospinal tract is

Answer 14

Projection

Question 15

Function of the corticospinal tract

Answer 15

Efferent tract that connects the motor cortex to the brain stem and spinal cord

Question 16

Type of tract the corticobulbar tract is

Answer 16

Projection

Question 17

Function of the corticobulbar tract

Answer 17

Efferent tract that connects the cranial nerve motor centres to the brain stem and spinal cord

Question 18

Two tracts that make up the pyramidal tracts

Answer 18

Corticospinal

Corticobulbar

Question 19

Type of tract the corona radiata is

Answer 19

Projection tract

Question 20

Function of the corona radiata

Answer 20

Connects the cortical areas to the internal capsule

Question 21

Type of tract the geniculocalcarine tract (optic radiatum) is

Answer 21

Projection

Question 22

Function of the geniculocalcarine tract

Answer 22

Connects the lateral geniculate nucleus to the primary visual cortex

Question 23

Type of tract the corpus callosum is

Answer 23

Commissural

Question 24

Type of tract the cingulum is

Answer 24

Association

Question 25

Function of the cingulum

Answer 25

Connects the frontal, parietal and temporal lobes

Question 26

Type of tract the superior occipitofrontal fasciculus is

Answer 26

Association

Question 27

Function of the superior occipitofrontal fasciculus

Answer 27

Connects the occipital and frontal lobes

Question 28

Type of tract the inferior occipitofrontal fasciculus is

Answer 28

Association

Question 29

Function of the inferior occipitofrontal fasciculus

Answer 29

Connects the occipital and frontal lobes

Question 30

Type of tract the uncinate fasciculus is

Answer 30

Association

Question 31

Function of the uncinate fasciculus

Answer 31

Connects parts of the frontal lobe to the anterior temporal lobe

Question 32

Tract which connects the frontal lobe and temporal lobe of the same hemisphere

Answer 32

Superior longitudinal/arcuate fasciculus

Question 33

Pathway which connects the cerebral cortex to the medulla oblongata and is primarily involved with motor function of the cranial nerves

Answer 33

Corticobulbar tract

Question 34

Pathway which connects the cerebral cortex to the spinal cord and is primarily involved with motor function of the limbs and trunk

Answer 34

Corticospinal tract

Question 35

Function of the dorsal column medial lemniscus pathway

Answer 35

Conveys sensations of fine touch, proprioception and vibration from the body to the brain

Question 36

Tract which originates in the red nucleus and plays a role in the tone of limb muscles and fine movements

Answer 36

Rubrospinal tract

Question 37

Tract which originates from the pons and facilitates voluntary movements

Answer 37

Medial reticulospinal tract

Question 38

Tract which originates from the medulla and inhibits voluntary movement

Answer 38

Lateral reticulospinal tract

Question 39

Tracts which originate from the vestibular nuclei and control balance and posture

Answer 39

Vestibulospinal tracts

Question 40

Tract which originates in the superior colliculus and coordinates movements in the head in response to visual stimuli

Answer 40

Tectospinal tract

Question 41

Tract which conveys the sensations of crude touch and pressure

Answer 41

Anterior spinothalamic tract

Question 42

Tract which conveys the sensations of pain and temperature

Answer 42

Lateral spinothalamic tract

Question 43

Tracts which carry unconscious proprioceptive information to the cerebellum for the control of posture and coordination of movement

Answer 43

Spinocerebellar tracts