Neuromuscular: Spinal Cord Tracts

Question 1

Fasciculus cuneatus (posterior or dorsal column)

Answer 1

Ascending Tract
Sensory tract for trunk, neck, and upper extremity proprioception, vibration, two-point discrimination, and graphesthesia

Question 2

Fasciculus gracilis (posterior or dorsal column)

Answer 2

Ascending Tract

Sensory tract for trunk and lower extremity proprioception, vibration, two-point discrimination, and graphesthesia

Question 3

Spinocerebellar tract (dorsal)

Answer 3

Sensory tract that ascends to the cerebellum for ipsilateral subconscious proprioception tension in muscles, joint sense, and posture of the trunk and lower extermities

Question 4

Spinocerebellar tract (ventral)

Answer 4

Sensory tract that ascends to the cerebellum, some fibers crossing with subsequent recrossing at the level of the pons for ipsilateral subconscious proprioception, tension in muscles, joint sense, and posture of the trunk, upper extremities, and lower extremities

Question 5

Spino-olivary tract

Answer 5

Ascends to the cerebellum and relays information from cutaneous and proprioceptive organs

Question 6

Spinoreticular tract

Answer 6

Afferent pathway for the reticular formation that influences levels of consciousness

Question 7

Spinotectal tract

Answer 7

Sensory tract providing afferent information for spinovisual reflexes and assists with movement of eyes and head towards s stimulus

Question 8

Spinothalamic tract (anterior)

Answer 8

Sensory tract for light touch and pressure

Ascending Tract

Question 9

Spinothalamic tract (lateral)

Answer 9

Sensory tract for pain and temperature sensation

Ascending Tract

Question 10

Corticospinal tract (anterior)

Answer 10

Pyramidal motor tract responsible for ipsilateral voluntary, discrete, and skilled movement

Question 11

Corticospinal tract (lateral)

Answer 11

Pyramidal motor tract responsible for contralateral voluntary fine movement
(Damage to the corticospinal tract results in positive Babinski sign, absent superficial abdominal reflexes and cremasteric reflex, and the loss of fine motor or skilled voluntary movement)

Question 12

Reticulospinal tract

Answer 12

Extrapyramidal motor tract responsible for facilitation or inhibition of voluntary and reflex activity through the influence on alpha and gamma motor neurons

Question 13

Rubrospinal tract

Answer 13

Extrapyramidal motor tract responsible for motor input of gross postural tone, facilitating activity of flexor muscles, and inhibiting the activity of extensor muscles

Question 14

Tectospinal tract

Answer 14

Extrapyramidal motor tract responsible for contralateral postural muscle tone associated with auditory/visual stimuli

Question 15

Vestibulospinal tract

Answer 15

Extrapyramidal motor tract responsible for ipsilateral gross postural adjustments subsequent to head movements, facilitating activity of the extensor muscles, and inhibiting activity of the flexor muscles

Question 16

Damage to Extrapyramidal tracts results in:

Answer 16

significant paralysis, hypertonicity, exaggerated deep tendon reflexes, and clasp-knife reaction