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Ascending pathways Flashcards

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1
Q

What do ascending pathways carry

A

Sensations from peripheral structures to brain via thalamus to sensory cortex

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2
Q

How are neurons in ascending pathways arranged

A

In series as first, second, and third order neurons

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3
Q

Where are higher order neurons found

A

In other parts of cerebral cortex for further processing

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4
Q

What are first order neurons

A

Primary afferent neurons

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5
Q

Where do first order neurons start

A

From the receptor

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6
Q

Through which nerves do first order neurons travel

A

Peripheral nerves

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7
Q

How do first order neurons enter spinal cord

A

Via dorsal root

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8
Q

Where are cell bodies of first order neurons located

A

In the dorsal root ganglion (DRG)

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9
Q

Where do first order neurons terminate

A

On second order neurons in spinal cord laminae or medulla

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10
Q

Where are second order neurons located

A

In spinal cord or brainstem

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11
Q

What is the primary function of second order neurons

A

Transmit impulses from first order neurons to thalamus

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12
Q

Where do second order neurons typically cross

A

The midline in spinal cord or medulla

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13
Q

Where do second order neurons transmit impulses

A

To opposite side of thalamus

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14
Q

Where do third order neurons originate

A

From specific nuclei in thalamus

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15
Q

Where do third order neurons terminate

A

In specific areas of sensory cortex

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16
Q

What is the main sensory relay center in the brain

A

Thalamus

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17
Q

Are higher order neurons part of main sensory pathways

A

Usually not

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18
Q

Where do higher order neurons project

A

From sensory cortex to cortical sensory association areas

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19
Q

What are the three main categories of ascending pathways

A

Dorsal column pathways, anterolateral systems, other ascending pathways

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20
Q

What fibers ascend in dorsal column pathways

A

Fibers of dorsal column of spinal cord

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21
Q

What is another name for dorsal column pathways

A

Lemniscal system

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22
Q

What sensations are transmitted by dorsal column pathways

A

Fine touch, vibration, proprioception, tactile localization, tactile discrimination, stereognosis

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23
Q

What are the two parts of anterolateral system

A

Anterior spinothalamic tract and lateral spinothalamic tract

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24
Q

What sensation does anterior spinothalamic tract carry

A

Crude touch

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25
What sensation does lateral spinothalamic tract carry
Pain and temperature
26
Name other ascending pathways
Spinocerebellar, spinoreticulothalamic, spinocervicothalamic tracts
27
What type of fibers enter the dorsal column
Large myelinated afferent fibers
28
Which tracts ascend in the dorsal column
Gracile fasciculus and cuneate fasciculus
29
What other names are given to the tracts of the dorsal column
Tract of Goll and Burdach
30
Which fasciculus carries sensations from lower extremity and trunk
Gracile fasciculus
31
Where is gracile fasciculus located
Medially in spinal cord
32
Which fasciculus carries sensations from upper extremity and upper trunk
Cuneate fasciculus
33
Where is cuneate fasciculus located
Laterally in spinal cord
34
Where do first order neurons terminate in dorsal column pathways
In nucleus gracilis and nucleus cuneatus in medulla
35
Where are second order neurons of dorsal column pathways located
In nucleus gracilis and cuneatus
36
What are dorsal column nuclei
Nucleus gracilis and cuneatus
37
Where do second order neuron fibers cross
In the medulla to opposite side
38
Where do crossed fibers ascend after medulla
In medial lemniscus to thalamus
39
What is the somatotopic organization in dorsal column nuclei
Face lateral, trunk and hind limb medial
40
What are the two zones of dorsal column nuclei
Cluster and non-cluster zones
41
What is the main region of dorsal column nuclei
Cluster region
42
Where does cluster region receive input from
Directly from dorsal column fibers
43
Where do second order neurons from cluster region project
To opposite side thalamus
44
What does cluster region inform
Thalamus and cortex about sensory stimulation
45
Where is non-cluster region located
More rostrally in dorsal column nuclei
46
Where does non-cluster region receive input from
Descending cortical fibers and dorsal column fibers
47
Where does non-cluster region project
To cerebellum, tectum, pretectum, inferior olive, red nucleus, motor areas
48
What is function of non-cluster region
Provide direct sensory input to motor areas for movement regulation
49
Where do third order neurons of dorsal column pathways originate
From VPL nucleus of thalamus
50
Where do third order neurons project
To somatosensory cortex
51
Which system is older, anterolateral or dorsal column
Anterolateral system
52
What sensation do anterior spinothalamic tracts carry
Crude touch
53
What sensation do lateral spinothalamic tracts carry
Pain and temperature
54
Where do first order neurons of anterolateral system originate
Nociceptors, thermoreceptors, mechanoreceptors
55
Where do these fibers enter spinal cord
Through dorsal root
56
Where are cell bodies of first order neurons located
In dorsal root ganglion
57
Where do the fibers of the anterior spinothalamic tracts terminate
On second order neurons in same side dorsal horn
58
Where are second order neuron cell bodies in anterolateral system
Laminae I, II, and V of dorsal horn
59
Where do second order neurons cross
Midline in same spinal segment
60
Where do crossed fibers ascend
In opposite side anterolateral funiculus
61
Where are fibers carrying crude touch placed
Anteriorly, called anterior spinothalamic tract
62
Where are fibers carrying pain and temperature placed
Laterally, called lateral spinothalamic tract
63
Where do third order neurons of anterolateral system originate
VPL, midline and intralaminar nuclei of thalamus
64
Where do third order neurons project
To specific sensory cortex areas
65
What mediates touch from skin without specialized receptors
Free nerve endings
66
Which touch receptors are rapidly adapting
Meissner’s corpuscle and Pacinian corpuscles
67
Which touch receptors are slowly adapting
Merkel disk and Ruffini endings
68
Which ion channel is linked with touch receptors
Na+ channel BNC1
69
Where are touch receptors abundant
Fingertips, hands, lips
70
Where are touch receptors fewer
Proximal limbs, trunk, especially back
71
What fibers carry touch sensations
Aβ fibers
72
Which pathway carries well-localized touch
Dorsal column pathway
73
Which pathway carries poorly localized touch
Anterior spinothalamic tract
74
What is proprioception
Afferent input from muscles, tendons, joints about body part movement
75
What is kinesthesia
Sensation of movement of body parts relative to one another
76
Where are proprioceptors found
Joints, muscles, synovia, ligaments, overlying skin
77
Which pathway transmits proprioception
Dorsal column pathway
78
Which structure receives significant proprioceptive projection
Cerebellum
79
What sensation is described as trembling or vibrating
Vibration
80
What is pallesthesia
Ability to feel mechanical vibration
81
Which pathway carries sense of vibration
Dorsal columns
82
What is two-point discrimination
Minimal distance to perceive two touch points as separate
83
What receptors mediate two-point discrimination
Fine touch receptors
84
Which pathway carries two-point discrimination
Dorsal column pathway
85
What is stereognosis
Ability to identify objects by touch with eyes closed
86
Which pathway carries stereognosis
Dorsal column pathway

Physiology (5 decks)

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