Descending Spinal Tracts
- Anterior corticospinal
- Lateral corticospinal
- Reticulospinal
- Rubrospinal
- Tectpspinal
- Vestibulospinal
Anterior corticospinal tract
(Largest tract) Pyramidal motor tract:
Ipsilateral voluntary, discrete, skilled movements
Lateral corticospinal tract
(Largest tract) Pyramidal motor tract:
Contralateral voluntary fine movement
Reticulospinal tract
Extrapyramidal motor tract:
Facilitation/inhibition of voluntary and reflex activity –> alpha and gamma motor neurons
Rubrospinal tract
Extrapyramidal motor tract:
- Motor input of gross postural tone
- Facilitating activity of flexor mm
- Inhibiting activity of extensor mm
Tectospinal tract
Extrapyramidal motor tract:
- Contralateral postural muscle tone assoc w/ auditory/visual stimuli
Vestibulospinal tract
Extrapyramidal motor tract:
- Ipsilateral gross postural adjustments following head mvmts
- Facilitating activity of extensor mm
- Inhibiting activity of flexor mm
Damage to extrapyramidal tracts results in?
Significant paralysis
Hypertonicity
Exaggerated DTR
Clasp-knife reaction
Damage to pyramidal tracts results in?
Results:
- (+) Babinski sign
- Absent superficial abdomina reflexes, cremasteric reflex
- Loss of fine motor or skilled voluntary mvmt
Ascending Spinal Tracts
Fasciculus cuneatus (post or dorsal column) Fasciculus gracilis (post or dorsal column) Dorsal spinocerebellar Ventral spinocerebellar Spino-olivary Spinoreticular Spinotectal Anterior spinothalamic Lateral spinothalamic
Fasciculus cuneatus (dorsal column)
Sensory
Trunk, neck, and UE:
- Proprio
- Vibration
- 2-pt discrim
- Graphesthesia
Fasciculus gracilis (dorsal column)
Sensory
Trunk and LE:
- Proprio
- 2-pt discrim
- Vibration
- Graphesthesia
Dorsal spinocerebellar tract
Sensory
Ascends to cerebellum
Ipsilateral subconscious proprioception
Tension in muscles
Joint sense
Posture of trunk and LEs
Ventral spinocerebellar tract
Sensory
Ascends to cerebellum
Ipsilateral subconscious proprioception
Tension in muscles
Joint sense
Posture of trunk, UEs, and LEs
Spino-olivary tract
Ascends to cerebellum
Cutaneous and proprioceptive organ info
Spinoreticular tract
To reticular formation
Influences levels of consciousness
Spinotectal tract
Spinovisual reflexes
Assists w/ mvmt of eyes and head towards stimulus
Anterior spinothalamic tract
Light touch and pressure
Lateral spinothalamic tract
Pain and temp sensation
