Ascending Pathways

Question 1

What are the three neuron groups of the anterior grey columns?

Answer 1

Medial Group
Central Group
Lateral Group

Question 2

Anterior Grey Columns
What are the nuclei of the medial group?

Answer 2

Ventromedial
Dorsomedial

Question 3

Anterior Grey Columns
In which spinal cord segments can the medial group nuclei be found?

Answer 3

In all segments

Question 4

Anterior Grey Columns
What are the nuclei of the central group?

Answer 4

Phrenic nucleus
Lumbo-sacral nucleus

Question 5

Anterior Grey Columns
In which spinal cord segments can the central group nuclei be found?

Answer 5

Phrenic Nucleus: C3, 4, 5
Lumbo-Sacral Nucleus: L2, 3, 4, 5 and S1

Question 6

Anterior Grey Columns
What are the nuclei of the lateral group?

Answer 6

Ventrolateral
Dorsolateral
Retrodorsolateral

Question 7

Anterior Grey Columns
At which spinal cord segments can the lateral group nuclei be found?

Answer 7

Cervical and lumbo-sacral (segments supplying limbs)

Question 8

What are the four neuron groups of the posterior grey columns?

Answer 8

Substantia gelatinosa of Rolando
Nucleus Proprius
Nucleus Dorsalis of Clarke
Visceral Nucleus

Question 9

Posterior Grey Columns
Purpose of Substantia Gelantinosa of Rolando

Answer 9

Exteroception
Relay station for pain and temperature fibers

Question 10

Posterior Grey Columns
Where is the Substantia Gelatinosa of Rolando found?

Answer 10

Present throughout entire spinal cord length

Question 11

Posterior Grey Columns
What do the axons of the Substantia Gelatinosa of Rolando give rise to?

Answer 11

Axons give rise to lateral spinothalamic tract

Question 12

Posterior Grey Columns
Purpose of Nucleus Proprius

Answer 12

Exteroception
Associated with mechanical (touch + pressure) sensations

Question 13

Posterior Grey Columns
Location of Nucleus Proprius

Answer 13

Present throughout entire spinal cord length

Question 14

Posterior Grey Columns
Purpose of Nucleus Dorsalis of Clarke

Answer 14

Proprioception

Question 15

Posterior Grey Columns
Location of Nucleus Dorsalis of Clarke

Answer 15

Present in C8-L3 segments

Question 16

Posterior Grey Columns
What fibers does the Nucleus Dorsalis of Clarke receive?

Answer 16

Receives afferent fibers from muscle and tendon spindles transferring signals to the cerebellum

Question 17

Posterior Grey Columns
Features of Visceral Nucleus

Answer 17

Receives visceral afferent fibers

Question 18

What are the two neuron groups of the lateral grey columns?

Answer 18

Interomediomedial
Interomediolateral

Question 19

Lateral Grey Columns
Nuclei Locations

Answer 19

Locations:
T₁ - L₂ - Preganglionic sympathetic fibers
S_2,3,4 - Preganglionic parasympathetic fibers

Question 20

Lamina of the spinal cord

Answer 20

Basing Spinal Cord regions according to structure and function

Question 21

Purpose of Lamina 1-4

Answer 21

Exteroception

Question 22

Purpose of Lamina 5-6

Answer 22

Proprioception

Question 23

Purpose of Lamina 7

Answer 23

Visceral sensation

Question 24

Purpose of Lamina 8-9

Answer 24

Posture

Question 25

Purpose of Lamina 10

Answer 25

Contains decussating axons

Question 26

What are ascending tracts?

Answer 26

Convey sensory stimuli through the spinal cord

Question 27

What types of stimuli can the ascending tract convey?

Answer 27

Exteroceptive Proprioceptive (conscious and non-conscious) ## Footnote Concious proprioception includes vibration, pressure, sense of position and sense of movement

Question 28

Which tracts convey exteroceptive stimuli?

Answer 28

Lateral Spinothalamic Anterior Spinothalamic

Question 29

Which tracts convey proprioceptive non-concious stimuli?

Answer 29

Ventral Spinocerebellar Tracts Dorsal Spinocerebellar Tracts

Question 30

Which tracts convey both exteroceptive and conscious proprioceptive stimuli?

Answer 30

Fasciculus Cuneatus Fasciculus Gracilis

Question 31

Function of the Lateral Spinothalamic Tract

Answer 31

Conveys pain and temperature from opposite side of the body

Question 32

How can lesions of the Lateral Spinothalamic Tract affect sensation?

Answer 32

Produces contralateral loss of pain and temperature sensation below the lesion

Question 33

Function of the Anterior Spinothalamic Tract

Answer 33

Conveys crude touch and pressure from opposite side of the body

Question 34

How can lesions of the Anterior Spinothalamic Tract affect sensation?

Answer 34

Produces contralateral loss of touch and pressure below the lesion

Question 35

What is the spinal lemniscus?

Answer 35

Another name for anterior and lateral spinothalamic tracts

Question 36

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Answer 36

Question 37

Function of the Fasciculus Cuneatus

Answer 37

Conveys fine touch and concious proprioceptive stimuli from opposite side of body Derived from cervical and upper thoracic segments

Question 38

Function of the Fasciculus Gracilis

Answer 38

Same function as fasciculus cuneatus except fibers are derived from lower thoracic, lumbar, sacral and coccygeal segments

Question 39

How can lesions of the Fasciculus Cuneatus/Gracilis affect sensation?

Answer 39

Cause ipsilateral loss of conscious proprioceptive sensations below lesion level (because crossing occurs at level of medulla)

Question 40

What is the medial lemniscus?

Answer 40

Formed from crossing of internal arcuate fibers

Question 41

What are internal arcuate fibers?

Answer 41

Composed of axons of nucleus cuneatus and gracilis

Question 42

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Answer 42

Question 43

Function of Ventral Spinocerebellar Tract

Answer 43

**Unconcious proprioception** - Carries muscle and joint information from the muscle spindles, tendons and organs of the upper and lower limbs and trunk

Question 44

Function of the Dorsal Spinocerebellar Tract

Answer 44

**Unconcious proprioception** - Carries muscle, joint information from the muscle spindles, tendon and organs of the trunk and lower limbs

Question 45

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Answer 45