Central Nervous System Flashcards
(122 cards)
Arterial Supply to Spinal Cord
Arterial supply comes from 2 sources:
- longitudinally oriented vessels; descend on the surface of the cord
- feeder arteries that enter the vertebral canal through intervertebral foramina (segmental spinal arteries)

Segmental Spinal Arteries
After entering an intervertebral foramen, the segmental spinal arteries give rise to anterior and posterior radicular arteries which follow and supply the anterior and posterior roots
Spinal Dura Mater
- outermost meningeal membrane, separated from bones by extradural space
- as spinal nerves pass laterally, they are surrounded by a sleeve of dura mater, which merges with and becomes part of the epineurium of the nerves
Longitudinal Spinal Vessels
- anterior spinal artery
- 2 posterior spinal arteries
- arise in cranial cavity
Spinal Arachnoid Mater
- thin delicate membrane against, but not adherent to the dura mater
- separated from pia mater by subarachnoid sace
- ends at S2
- subarachnoid space contains CSF
Spinal Pia Mater
- vascular membrane that firmly adheres to spinal cord surface
- on each sode of the spinal cord, the pia mater has a longitudinally arranged sheath (denticulate ligament). This extends laterally from the cord towards the arachnoid and pia mater
Ascending Tracts
- the pathways by which sensory information from the peripheral nerves is transmitted to the cerebral cortex. In some texts, ascending tracts are also known as somatosensory pathways or systems
Dorsal Column Medial Lemniscal Pathway
The dorsal column-medial lemniscal pathway (DCML) carries sensory modalities of fine touch (tactile sensation), vibration and proprioception.
Its name arises from the two major structures to comprise the DCML. In the spinal cord, sensation travels via the dorsal columns. In the brainstem, it is transmitted through themedial lemniscus.
First order neurones carry sensory information from touch or proprioceptive receptors to the medulla oblongata. There are two different pathways which the first order neurones take:
Signals from the upper limb travel in thefasciculus cuneatus (the lateral part of the dorsal column). They then synapse in the cuneate nucleus of the medulla oblongata.
Signals from the lower limb travel in thefasciculus gracilis (the medial part of the dorsal column). They then synapse in the gracile nucleus of the medulla oblongata
Second order neurones begin in the cuneate nucleus or gracilis. The fibres receive the information from the preceding neurones, and delivers it to the third order neurones in the thalamus. Within the medulla oblongata, these fibres decussate (cross to the other side of the CNS). They travel in the contralateral medial lemniscus to reach the thalamus.
Third order neurones take the sensory signals from the thalamus to the primary sensory cortex of the brain. They ascend from the ventral posterolateral nucleus of the thalamus, through the internal capsule, terminating at the sensory cortex.
The AnteroLateral System
The anterolateral system consists of two separate tracts:
The anterior spinothalamic tract carries the sensory modalities of crude touch and pressure.
The lateral spinothalamic tract carries the sensory modalities of pain and temperature.
Much like the DCML pathway, both the tracts of the anterolateral system have three groups of neurones:
First order neurones arise from the sensory receptors in the periphery. They enter the spinal cord, ascend 1-2 levels, and terminate at the tip of the dorsal horn (an area known as the substantia gelatinosa).
Second order neurones carry the sensory information from the substantia gelatinosa to the thalamus. Arising from a synapse with the preceding neurones, the neurones decussate (cross to the other side of the CNS). Here, fibres split:
Crude touch and pressure fibres enter the anterior spinothalamic tract.
Pain and temperature fibres enter the lateral spinothalamic tract.
Although they are functionally distinct, these tracts run alongside each other, and they can be considered at a single pathway. The fibres travel in their respective pathways, synapsing in the thalamus.
Third order neurones take the sensory signals from the thalamus to the primary sensory cortex of the brain. They ascend from the ventral posterolateral nucleus of the thalamus, through the internal capsule, terminating at the sensory cortex.
Ascending Tracts- Sensory

Spinocerebellar Tracts- Unconscious
They transmit information from the muscles to the cerebellum.
Within the spinocerebellar tracts, there are four individual pathways:
Posterior spinocerebellar tract – Carries proprioceptive information from the lower limbs to the ipsilateral cerebellum.
Cuneocerebellar tract – Carries proprioceptive information from the upper limbs to the ipsilateral cerebellum.
Anterior spinocerebellar tract – Carries proprioceptive information from the lower limbs. The fibres decussate twice – and so terminate in the ipsilateral cerebellum.
Rostral spinocerebellar tract – Carries proprioceptive information from the upper limbs to the ipsilateral cerebellum
Cerebellum
Anatomical Lobes
There are three anatomical lobes that can be distinguished in the cerebellum; the anterior lobe, the posterior lobe and the flocculonodular lobe. These lobes are divided by two fissures – the primary fissure and posterolateral fissure.
Cerebelar Zones
There are three cerebellar zones. In the midline of the cerebellum is the vermis. Either side of the vermis is the intermediate zone. Lateral to the intermediate zone are the lateral hemispheres. There is no difference in gross structure between the lateral hemispheres and intermediate zones
Functional Divisions of the Cerebellum
The cerebellum can also be divided by function. There are three functional areas of the cerebellum – the cerebrocerebellum, the spinocerebellum and the vestibulocerebellum.
Cerebrocerebellum – the largest division, formed by the lateral hemispheres. It is involved in planning movements and motor learning. It receives inputs from the cerebral cortex and pontine nuclei, and sends outputs to the thalamus and red nucleus. This area also regulates coordination of muscle activation and is important in visually guided movements.
Spinocerebellum – comprised of the vermis and intermediate zone of the cerebellar hemispheres. It is involved in regulating body movements by allowing for error correction. It also receives proprioceptive information.
Vestibulocerebellum – the functional equivalent to the flocculonodular lobe. It is involved in controlling balance and ocular reflexes, mainly fixation on an target. It receives inputs from the vestibular system, and sends outputs back to the vestibular nuclei.
Vasculature to Cerebellum
The cerebellum receives its blood supply from three paired arteries:
Superior cerebellar artery (SCA)
Anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA)
Posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA)
The SCA and AICA are branches of the basilar artery, which wraps around the anterior aspect of the pons before reaching the cerebellum. The PICA is a branch of the vertebral artery.
Venous drainage of the cerebellum is by the superior and inferior cerebellar veins. These drain into the transverse and sigmoid sinuses.
Nuclei (deep) of Cerebellum
- 3 groups of cerebelar nuclei, embedded in the white matter of each hemisphere:
- dentate nucleus: in centre of corpus medullare
- emboliform and globose (interposed)
- fastigial
Dentate Nucleus
- convex, indented lamina of gray matter with a hilum anteromedially
- interior filled with white matter made of efferent fibres. These form a large part of the superior cerebellar peduncle
- projects axons to the red nucleus and thalamus
Emboliform (interposed)
- lies at the hilum of the dentate nuclei
- medial to them are globose nuclei, comprised of smaller cellular groups
- As a part of the interposed nucleus, the emboliform participates in the spinocerebellum, a system that regulates the precision of limb movements
- Axons leaving the emboliform exit through the superior cerebellar peduncle and reach the red nucleus in the midbrainand several thalamic nuclei which project into areas of the cerebral cortex that control limb movement
Fastigial nucleus
- found close to the midline
- developmentqally the oldest, connected to the vestibular nuclei and reticular formation
- projects efferents to spinal cord, midbrain and diencephalon, as well as inferior olivary complex
Cerebellar Fibre System
- cerebellar cortex receives input from 2 groups of excitatory fibres:
- mossy fibres
- climbimg fibres
Climbing Fibres
- are the terminal fibres of the olivocerebellar tracts. Ascend through the layers of the cortex like a vine on a tree
- each climbing fibre wraps around and makes synaptic contact with up to 10 purkinje neurons. However, a single purkinje cell synapses with only one climbing fibre
- on their way, the latter send collaterals to the cerebellar nuclei and to the interneurons of the cortex- granular, stellate, basket and Golgo cells
Mossy Fibres
- terminal fibres of all other afferent cerebellar tracts
- relatively thick, have thin terminations which form globuar structures around the dendrites - cerebellar glomeruli
- exert a more diffuse excitatory effect
Purkinje Cells
Main functional unit of the cerebellum
Layers of the cerebellum
- 3 layers can be distinguished:
- external - molcular
- middle - purkinje
- internal - granular





