Neural Pathways Review: Somatic Sensory & Autonomic Systems

Fill-in-the-blank flashcards covering somatic sensory pathways (three-neuron organization, decussation routes, pathway terminations), somatotopy, autonomic nervous system structure and function (sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions, autonomic tone), reflex arcs, and somatic motor pathways (direct pathway/Corticospinal & Corticobulbar), plus primary motor/sensory cortex locations.

Posterior columns/medial lemniscus pathway; Spinothalamic Pathway; Spinocerebellar Pathway; Trigeminothalamic Pathway are the ……. pathways

ascending sensory

The Spinothalamic Pathway carries .

Crude touch, tickle, itch, temperature, and pain

The Posterior column/medial lemniscus pathway carries .

Fine touch, discriminative touch, vibration, pressure, and some proprioception

The Spinocerebellar pathway carries .

Proprioception (awareness of limb position and movement)

The Trigeminothalamic tract carries .

All sensations from the face and head

The first-order neuron is in the and carries information from the periphery to the ___.

spinal/cranial nerve; spinal cord/brain stem

The second-order neuron ______over and travels to the ____ .

crosses ; thalamus

The third-order neuron travels to the .

cerebral cortex

Sensory pathways terminate in the primary somatosensory cortex located in the gyrus.

postcentral

Somatotopic arrangement indicates that the third-order neuron termination location in the primary sensory cortex tells us .

where the sensation is coming from

There are two routes from receptor to cortex based on where they .

decussate

The autonomic nervous system has two divisions with opposing effects and dual innervation; this ongoing activity is called .

autonomic tone

Sympathetic division is and its preganglionic neurons arise from spinal cord segments to .

thoracolumbar; T1 to L2

The cranial nerves III, VII, IX and X and spinal cord segments S2-S4 are associated with the preganglionic neurons of the what?

Parasympathetic division

In the sympathetic 'fight or flight' state, heart rate _____and bronchioles_____ ; blood is shunted to _____.

increases; dilate; muscles

During rest and digest, parasympathetic activity results in increased secretions and increased gut .

motility

Autonomic tone means that both divisions are active and their input can be or .

increased; decreased

Stretch reflex is and monosynaptic; it causes contraction of the muscle.

monosynaptic; stretched

A reflex arc includes receptor, a neuron, an integrating centre, a neuron, and an .

sensory; motor; effector

Spinal reflexes are typically and involve an interneuron.

polysynaptic; interneuron

The direct descending corticospinal tract controls muscles of the and ; majority decussate in the pyramids in the medulla.

limbs; trunk; medullary

The corticobulbar tract controls skeletal muscles of the .

head

The primary motor cortex is located in the gyrus.

precentral

The postcentral gyrus is part of the lobe.

parietal