Spinal Cord Tracts

Question 1

Fasciculus cuneatus (dorsal column)

Answer 1

Trunk, neck, and UE proprioception, vibration, 2-point discrimination, and graphesthesia

Question 2

Fasciculus gracilis (dorsal column)

Answer 2

Trunk and LE proprioception, vibration, 2-point discrimination, and graphesthesia

Question 3

Posterior Spinocerebellar tract

Answer 3

Ascends to cerebellum for ipsilateral subconscious proprioception, tension in muscles, joint sense, and posture of trunk, UEs, and LEs.

Question 4

Anterior Spinocerebellar tract

Answer 4

Ascends to cerebellum, some fibers crossing with subsequent re-crossing at level of pons for ipsilateral subconscious proprioception, tension in muscles, joint sense, and posture of trunk, UEs, and LEs.

Question 5

Spino-olivary tract

Answer 5

Ascends to cerebellum and relays info from cutaneous and proprioceptive organs

Question 6

Spinoreticular tract

Answer 6

Reticular formation that influences levels of consciousness

Question 7

Spinotectal tract

Answer 7

Provides info for spinovisual reflexes and assists with movement of eyes and head towards stimulus

Question 8

Anterior Spinothalamic tract

Answer 8

Light touch and pressure

Question 9

Lateral Spinothalamic tract

Answer 9

Pain and temperature

Question 10

Anterior Corticospinal tract

Answer 10

Pyramidal motor tract responsible for ipsilateral voluntary, discrete, and skilled movements. Damage to corticospinal tracts results in positive Babinski sign, absent superficial abdominal reflexes and cremasteric reflex.

Question 11

Lateral Corticospinal tract

Answer 11

Pyramidal motor tract responsible for contralateral voluntary fine movement. Damage to corticospinal tracts results in positive Babinski sign, absent superficial abdominal reflexes and cremasteric reflex .

Question 12

Reticulospinal tract

Answer 12

Extrapyramidal tract responsible for inhibiting voluntary and reflex activity through influence on alpha and gamma motor neurons

Question 13

Rubrospinal tract

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Tectospinal tract

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Vestibulospinal tract

Answer 15

Extrapyramidal tract responsible for ipsilateral gross postural adjustments subsequent to head movements; facilitates activity of extensor muscles and inhibits activity of flexor muscles

Question 16

Damage to extrapyramidal tracts

Answer 16

Results in paralysis, hypertonicity, exaggerated DTR, and clasp-knife reaction