Ascending Tracts Need-to-Know

Question 1

What Rexed Lamina are associated with the Gracilis?

Answer 1

(Bypass) Does not cross the gray matter

Question 2

Gracilis neuron pathway (number of and names)

Answer 2

3 neuron pathway
1° Nucleus Gracilis (M.O)
2° VPL of Thalamus
3° Post-Central Gyrus

Question 3

At what cord levels are the Gracilis tract found?

Answer 3

Found in ALL CORD LEVELS

Question 4

At what cord levels is input to the Gracilis found?

Answer 4

Input from T5-T6 and below only

Question 5

Where does the gracilis tract originate/synapse?

Answer 5

In the peripheral tissues of LOWER EXTREMITIES (particularly distal parts)

Question 6

Where is Gracilis decussation (cross over)?

Answer 6

The secondary neuron crosses over as the INTERNAL ARCUATE FIBERS in the M.O.

Question 7

What are the Gracilis modalities (sensations)?

Answer 7

• Discrimination in touch (2 point test)
• Vibratory sensations
• Kinesthetic sensation (conscious proprioception)
• position and movement of body parts perception

Question 8

What Rexed Lamina are associated with the Cuneatus Tract?

Answer 8

(Bypass) Does not cross the gray matter

Question 9

Cuneatus neuron pathway (number of and names)

Answer 9

3 neuron pathway
1° Nucleus Cuneatus
2° VPL of Thalamus
3° Post-Central Gyrus

Question 10

At what cord levels is the Cuneatus tract found?

Answer 10

Found only in UPPER CORD LEVELS Input T5-T6 and up only

Question 11

Where does the cuneatus tract originate/synapse?

Answer 11

In the Peripheral tissues of the upper extremities (particularly distal parts)

Question 12

Where does the Cuneatus Tract decusation (cross over) occur?

Answer 12

The secondary neuron crosses over as the INTERNAL ARCUATE Fibers in the M.O.

Question 13

Cuneatus modalities (sensations)?

Answer 13

• Discrimination in touch (2 point test)
• Vibratory sensations
• Kinesthetic sensation (conscious proprioception)
• position and movement of body parts perception

Question 14

The Anterior Spinothalamic Tract is associated with what Rexed Lamina?

Answer 14

III, IV

Question 15

At what cord levels is input to the Cuneatus Tract found?

Answer 15

Input from T5-T6 and up only

Question 16

At what cord levels is the Anterior Spinothalamic Tract found?

Answer 16

Found in ALL CORD LEVELS

Question 17

At what cord levels is input to Anterior Spinothalamic Tract found?

Answer 17

Input from all cord levels

Question 18

Where does the Anterior Spinothalamic Tract originate/synapse?

Answer 18

Spinal cord

Rexed Lamina III and IV

Question 19

Where does the Anterior Spinothalamic Tract decussation (cross over) occur?

Answer 19

Spinal cord

- GRADUALLY crosses over as it ascends up the spine.

Question 20

What modalities/(sensations) is the Anterior Spinothalamic Tract associated with?

Answer 20

ligth touch

Question 21

What Rexed Lamina are associated with the Lateral Spinothalamic tract?

Answer 21

Rexed Lamina II, V

Question 22

Lateral Spinothalamic Tract neuron pathway (number of and names)

Answer 22

3 neuron pathway
1° Spinal Cord (Rexed Lamina II, V)
2° VPL of Thalamus
3° Post-Central Gyrus

Question 23

At what cord levels is the Lateral Spinothalamic Tract found?

Answer 23

found in ALL CORD LEVELS

Question 24

Where does the Lateral Spinothalamic Tract receive its input?

Answer 24

input from all cord levels

Question 25

Where does the Lateral Spinothalamic Tract originate?

Answer 25

Spinal Cord | - (Rexed Lamina II and V)

Question 26

Where does the Lateral Spinothalamic Tract decussation/(cross over) occur?

Answer 26

Spinal Cord | -Crosses over ABRUPTLY as it ascends up the spine

Question 27

What modalities/(sensations) is the Lateral Spinothalamic Tract associated with?

Answer 27

Pain/thermal

Question 28

What Rexed Lamina are associated with the Anterior Spinocerebellar Tract?

Answer 28

Not usually tested or not applicable

Question 29

Anterior Spinocerebellar neuron pathway (number of and names)

Answer 29

2 neuron pathway 1° Spinal Cord (Grey matter) 2° Ipsilateral Cerebellum (via Superior Cerebellar Peduncle)

Question 30

At what cord levels is the Anterior Spinocerebellar Tract found?

Answer 30

Found in ALL CORD LEVELS

Question 31

Where does the Anterior Spinocerebellar Tract receive input from?

Answer 31

Input mainly from lower body

Question 32

Where does the Anterior Spinocerebellar Tract originate at?

Answer 32

Lumbrosacral grey laminae

Question 33

Where does the Anterior Spinocerebellar decussation/(crossover) occur?

Answer 33

CROSSES OVER 2X | Spinal cord and as they enter the Cerebellum

Question 34

What are the Anterior Spinocerebellar modalities/(sensations)?

Answer 34

Gross movements of the lower body | -(Unconscious)

Question 35

What Rexed Lamina are associated with the Posterior Spinocerebellar Tract?

Answer 35

VII

Question 36

Posterior Spinocerebellar neuron pathway (number of and names)

Answer 36

2 neuron pathway 1° Clark's Nucleus (AKA Nucleus Dorsalis or Clark's Column) 2° Ipsilateral Cerebellum

Question 37

At what cord levels is the Posterior Spinocerebellar Tract found?

Answer 37

Found from L3 and above

Question 38

Where does the Posterior Spinocerebellar Tract receive input from?

Answer 38

Input from all cord levels

Question 39

Where does the Posterior Spinocerebellar Tract originate?

Answer 39

C8-L3 - Rexed Lamina VII - Clark's Nucleus (AKA Nucleus Dorsalis)

Question 40

Where does the Posterior Spinocerebellar Tract decussation/(cross over) occur?

Answer 40

DOES NOT cross over

Question 41

What are the modalities/(sensations) of the Posterior Spinocerebellar tract?

Answer 41

Fine motor movement | Proprioception of lower body (unconscious)

Question 42

What Rexed Lamina are associated with the Cuneocerebellar Tract?

Answer 42

Not usually tested or not applicable

Question 43

Cuneocerebellar neuron pathway (number of and names)

Answer 43

2 neuron pathway 1° Accessory Cuneate Nucleus (M.O.) 2° Ipsilateral Cerebellum

Question 44

At what cord levels is the Cuneocerebellar tract?

Answer 44

Not usually tested or not applicable

Question 45

Where does the Cuneocerebellar tract decussation/(crossover) occur?

Answer 45

DOES NOT cross over

Question 46

What are the modalities/(sensations) of the Cuneocerebellar tract?

Answer 46

Fine proprioceptive movement from the SHOULDER GIRDLE

Question 47

Is the pathway the same as a tract?

Answer 47

NO | - The tract is only 1 neuron usually occupying the length of the spinal cord

Question 48

The entire length that sensory information travels to the cortex (Cerebral or Cerebellar) is called?

Answer 48

Pathway

Question 49

Which tracts are the only ascending tracts that DO NOT synapse in the spinal cord?

Answer 49

Gracilis and Cuneatus

Question 50

Lesions on which tract lead to analgesia (loss of pain sensation) and thermoanaesthesia (loss of temperature sensation) of the opposite side of the body?

Answer 50

Lateral Spinothalamic

Question 51

The Anterior Spinocerebellar tract enters the Ipsilateral Cerebellum through what?

Answer 51

Superior Cerebellar Peduncle

Question 52

The Posterior Spinocerebellar tract enters the Ipsilateral Cerebellum through what?

Answer 52

Inferior Cerebellar Peduncle

Question 53

Which tract receives input below L3 by "Hitch-hiking" with the Gracilis Tract?

Answer 53

Posterior Spinocerebellar

Question 54

Which tract enters the Ipsilateral Cerebellum through the Inferior Cerebellar Peduncle?

Answer 54

Cuneocerebellar

Question 55

Where will symptoms be if there is a spinal lesion involving the Gracilis Tract?

Answer 55

On the same side as the lesion. -Its an Ipsilateral tract so Ipsilateral symptoms

Question 56

Where will symptoms be if there is a spinal lesion involving the Cuneatus Tract?

Answer 56

On the same side as the lesion. -Its an Ipsilateral tract so Ipsilateral symptoms

Question 57

Where will symptoms be if there is a spinal lesion involving the Anterior Spinothalamic Tract?

Answer 57

On the opposite side of the lesion. -Its a Contralateral tract so Contralateral symptoms

Question 58

Where will symptoms be if there is a spinal lesion involving the Lateral Spinothalamic Tract?

Answer 58

On the opposite side of the lesion. -Its a Contralateral tract so Contralateral symptoms

Question 59

Where will symptoms be if there is a spinal lesion involving the Anterior Spinocerebellar Tract?

Answer 59

On the opposite side of the lesion. -Its a Contralateral tract so Contralateral symptoms

Question 60

Where will symptoms be if there is a spinal lesion involving the Posterior Spinocerebellar Tract?

Answer 60

On the same side as the lesion. -Its an Ipsilateral tract so Ipsilateral symptoms

Question 61

Where will symptoms be if there is a spinal lesion involving the Cuneocerebellar Tract?

Answer 61

On the same side as the lesion. -Its an Ipsilateral tract so Ipsilateral symptoms

Question 62

Which Ascending tracts are contralateral tracts?

Answer 62

- Anterior Spinothalamic - Lateral Spinothalamic - Anterior Spinocerebellar

Question 63

What ascending tract is not found in all cord levels?

Answer 63

Posterior Spinocerebellar

Question 64

What ascending tract(s) do not crossover?

Answer 64

- Posterior Spinocerebellar | - Cuneocerebellar

Question 65

What is the Gracilis Pathway for its primary neuron?

Answer 65

Lower Extremity Tissue ==> Spinal Cord ==> Nucleus Gracilis (MO)

Question 66

What is the Gracilis Pathway for its secondary neuron?

Answer 66

Nucleus Gracilis (MO) ==> Internal Arcuate Fibers ==> Medial Lemniscus ==> VPL of Thalamus

Question 67

What is the Gracilis Pathway for its tertiary neuron?

Answer 67

VPL of Thalamus ==> Post-Central Gyrus

Question 68

What is the Cuneatus Pathway for its primary neuron?

Answer 68

Upper Extremity Tissue ==> Spinal Cord ==> Nucleus Cuneatus (MO)

Question 69

What is the Cuneatus Pathway for its secondary neuron?

Answer 69

Nucleus Gracilis (MO) ==> Internal Arcuate Fibers ==> Medial Lemniscus ==> VPL of Thalamus

Question 70

What is the Cuenatus Pathway for its tertiary neuron?

Answer 70

VPL of Thalamus ==> Post-Central Gyrus

Question 71

What is the Anterior Spinothalamic Pathway for its primary neuron?

Answer 71

Peripheral Tissue ==> Spinal Cord (R.L. 3 and 4)

Question 72

What is the Anterior Spinothalamic Pathway for its secondary neuron?

Answer 72

Spinal Cord (R.L. 3 and 4) ==> VPL of the Thalamus

Question 73

What is the Anterior Spinothalamic Pathway for its tertiary neuron?

Answer 73

VPL of the Thalamus ==> Post-Central Gyrus

Question 74

What is the Lateral Spinothalamic Pathway for its primary neuron?

Answer 74

Peripheral Tissue ==> Spinal Cord (R.L. 2 and 5)

Question 75

What is the Lateral Spinothalamic Pathway for its secondary neuron?

Answer 75

Spinal Cord (R.L. 2 and 5) ==> VPL of the Thalamus

Question 76

What is the Lateral Spinothalamic Pathway for its tertiary neuron?

Answer 76

VPL of the Thalamus ==> Post-Central Gyrus

Question 77

What is the Anterior Spinocerebellar Pathway for its primary neuron?

Answer 77

Peripheral tissue (Lower body) ==> Spinal Cord

Question 78

What is the Anterior Spinocerebellar Pathway for its secondary neuron?

Answer 78

Spinal Cord ==> Superior Cerebellar Peduncle ==> Cortex of CEREBELLUM

Question 79

What is the Posterior Spinocerebellar Pathway for its primary neuron? (option 1)

Answer 79

Peripheral Tissue (Thru L3 to ~C8) via Gracilis Tract ==> Spinal Cord (Clark's Nucleus)

Question 80

What is the Posterior Spinocerebellar Pathway for its secondary neuron? (option 1)

Answer 80

Spinal Cord (Clark's Nucleus) ==> Inferior Cerebellar Peduncle ==> Cortex of CEREBELLUM

Question 81

What is the Posterior Spinocerebellar Pathway for its primary neuron? (option 2)

Answer 81

Peripheral Tissue (Below L3) via Gracilis Tract ==> Spinal Cord (Clark's Nucleus)

Question 82

What is the Posterior Spinocerebellar Pathway for its secondary neuron? (option 2)

Answer 82

Spinal Cord (Clark's Nucleus) ==> Inferior Cerebellar Peduncle ==> Cortex of CEREBELLUM

Question 83

What is the Cuneocerebellar Pathway for its primary neuron?

Answer 83

Shoulder Girdle ==> Accessory Cuneate Nucleus (MO)

Question 84

What is the Cuneocerebellar Pathway for its secondary neuron?

Answer 84

Accessory Cuneate Nucleus (MO) ==> Inferrior Cerebellar Peduncle ==> Cortex of Cerebellum