Spinal Cord Tracts Flashcards

Flashcards covering ascending (sensory) tracts of the spinal cord, including their functions and pathways.

Cuneocerebellar Tract

Ipsilateral subconscious proprioception of the neck and upper extremities.

Spinocerebellar Tract (dorsal and ventral)

Ipsilateral subconscious proprioception, muscle tension, joint sense, and posture of the trunk and lower extremities.

Fasciculus Cuneatus (Posterior/Dorsal Column)

Sensory tract for trunk, neck, and upper extremity proprioception, vibration, 2-point discrimination, and graphesthesia.

Fasciculus Gracilis (Posterior/Dorsal Column)

Sensory tract for trunk and lower extremity proprioception, vibration, 2 point discrimination, and graphesthesia.

Spino-olivary Tract

Ascends to the cerebellum and relays information from cutaneous and proprioceptive organs.

Spinoreticular Tract

Influences levels of consciousness.

Spinotectal/Spinomesencephalic Tract

Spinovisual reflexes and assists with movement of head and eyes towards a stimulus.

Spinothalamic Tract (Anterior)

Crude touch and pressure on the opposite side of the body.

Spinothalamic Tract (Lateral)

Pain and temperature sensation from the opposite side of the body.

Cuneocerebellar Tract

Ipsilateral subconscious proprioception of the neck and upper extremities.

Spinocerebellar Tract (dorsal and ventral)

Ipsilateral subconscious proprioception, muscle tension, joint sense, and posture of the trunk and lower extremities.

Fasciculus Cuneatus (Posterior/Dorsal Column)

Sensory tract for trunk, neck, and upper extremity proprioception, vibration, 2-point discrimination, and graphesthesia.

Fasciculus Gracilis (Posterior/Dorsal Column)

Sensory tract for trunk and lower extremity proprioception, vibration, 2 point discrimination, and graphesthesia.

Spino-olivary Tract

Ascends to the cerebellum and relays information from cutaneous and proprioceptive organs.

Spinoreticular Tract

Influences levels of consciousness.

Spinotectal/Spinomesencephalic Tract

Spinovisual reflexes and assists with movement of head and eyes towards a stimulus.

Spinothalamic Tract (Anterior)

Crude touch and pressure on the opposite side of the body.

Spinothalamic Tract (Lateral)

Pain and temperature sensation from the opposite side of the body.

Vestibulospinal Tract

Motor pathway for control of axial and proximal muscles. Some control over muscle tone.

Rubrospinal Tract

Motor pathway that facilitates activity of flexor muscles and inhibits extensor muscles.

Reticulospinal Tract

Motor pathway that controls coordinated movement and posture.

Corticospinal Tract (Anterior and Lateral)

Motor pathway that controls voluntary movement of the distal extremities. Arises from the primary motor cortex, pre-motor area, and supplementary motor area.