L2 Ambulation Summary

The superior cerebellar peduncle is responsible for transmitting signals from the deep cerebellar nuclei (fastigial, interposed, and dentate nuclei) to various brain regions.

The middle cerebellar peduncle acts as a bridge, relaying information from the cerebral cortex and superior colliculus to the cerebellum via the pontine nuclei.

The inferior cerebellar peduncle is responsible for multiple inputs and outputs to and from the cerebellum.

These nuclei are located deep within the cerebellum and are crucial for coordinating movement and balance.

This pathway carries signals from the motor cortex to the spinal cord, controlling voluntary movements.

A brain region involved in planning and executing complex movements.

A brain area responsible for the planning and coordination of complex, sequential movements.

A region in the brain that converts visual information into motor commands, allowing for precise movements.

A massive bundle of axons that descends from the cerebral cortex to control voluntary movement.

Neurons in the motor cortex that are responsible for initiating and controlling voluntary muscle movements.

A part of the corticospinal tract that controls muscles of the face, head, and neck.

A type of upper motor neuron located in the motor cortex, responsible for fine, voluntary movements.

Connections between motor neurons in the cerebral cortex and motor neurons in the spinal cord.

Neurons located in the ventral horn of the spinal cord (or cranial nerve motor nuclei for head movements). They directly innervate muscle fibers to execute movement.

Neurons originating in the motor cortex that control the cranial nerve motor neurons in the brainstem. They are responsible for voluntary movement of the head, neck, and face.

A collection of brain structures, including the cerebellum and basal ganglia, that influence upper motor neurons to refine and coordinate movements.

The planning and initiation of movement. It involves the motor and premotor areas of the frontal lobe.

A complex network of neurons in the brainstem that influences postural control and body position.

A region in the brainstem that receives input from the inner ear and is involved in coordinating eye and head movements.

A group of structures in the forebrain that play a crucial role in controlling voluntary movement, planning, and learning.

Composed of the caudate and putamen, it receives input from various cortical areas.

This structure is composed of the putamen and globus pallidus, playing a key role in regulating motor commands.

This structure is part of the basal ganglia and receives input from the striatum and projects to the thalamus.

These structures, including parts of the cortex, thalamus, and brainstem, receive signals from various parts of the brain related to movement.

This tract originates from the superior colliculus in the midbrain and descends to the medial ventral horn of the neck. It controls axial muscles of the neck, enabling head and eye movements. This tract helps with orienting the head to visual stimuli.

This tract originates from the red nucleus in the midbrain and travels to the lateral ventral horn of the neck. It works in conjunction with the lateral corticospinal tract to control proximal muscles of the arm. It helps fine-tune and coordinate arm movements.

This tract originates from the vestibular nuclei in the pons and descends to the ventral horn of the neck. It has two branches; the medial branch controls axial muscles of the limbs for balance and posture, while the lateral branch helps with limb extension.

This tract originates from the reticular formation in the pons and medulla. It travels to the medial ventral horn of the neck, controlling axial muscles of the trunk, limbs, and posture. It helps coordinate more complex movements and helps maintain posture during sudden movements.

These are muscles that control movements of the trunk or body core, such as the muscles of the neck, back, and abdomen. They are important for coordinating and supporting movements of the limbs.

A pathway within the basal ganglia that helps initiate movement by inhibiting the GPi, which in turn leads to the release of the thalamus from inhibition and allows movement to occur.

A pathway within the basal ganglia that helps stop or terminate movement by activating the GPi, which inhibits the thalamus and prevents movement.

A brain structure located in the midbrain that plays a key role in inhibiting movement by sending signals to the GPi. Inhibition from the GPi reduces the activity of the thalamus, preventing movement.

A brain structure located in the basal ganglia that receives input from the STN and provides inhibitory signals to the thalamus, preventing unwanted movements.

A brain structure located in the basal ganglia that receives input from the GPe and plays a role in regulating the flow of signals through the indirect pathway by inhibiting the GPi.

A brain structure located in the diencephalon that serves as a relay station for sensory information and plays a critical role in movement control. When inhibited by the GPi, movement is prevented. When released, it allows for voluntary movement.

A process involving the cerebellum that compares intended movement with actual movement detected through sensory feedback. Based on the comparison, it adjusts movements to minimize errors.

A part of the cerebellum that receives information about movement plans from the cerebral cortex and uses that information to adjust motor output. It plays a role in fine-tuning movements.

The cerebellum is a small brain region located at the base of the brain that is essential for coordinating movement and motor skills.

The cerebellum receives sensory input from the body, including information about the position of limbs and the state of muscles.

The cerebellum communicates with other parts of the brain, including the motor cortex, to fine-tune movements and make adjustments.

The cerebellum has three cerebellar peduncles: the superior, middle, and inferior cerebellar peduncles.

The superior cerebellar peduncle carries information from the cerebellum to other brain regions.

The middle cerebellar peduncle carries information from the brainstem to the cerebellum.

The inferior cerebellar peduncle carries information from the spinal cord to the cerebellum.

The cerebellum plays a crucial role in learning motor skills. It helps us to remember and refine movements that we have learned.

The pontine nuclei relay information from the cerebral cortex and superior colliculus to the cerebellum via the middle cerebellar peduncle. They play a role in movement coordination.

The red nucleus is located in the midbrain. It receives signals from the cerebellum via the superior cerebellar peduncle and sends signals to motor structures.

The superior colliculus is located in the midbrain. It receives input from the eyes and coordinates eye, head, and body movements.

A cluster of four nuclei within the brainstem (superior, lateral, medial, and inferior) that receive information from the vestibular portion of the eighth cranial nerve (vestibulocochlear nerve). These nuclei are involved in processing information about head position and movement in space, contributing to balance and coordination.

A group of nuclei located in the medulla oblongata that likely play a role in motor coordination and motor learning. They receive sensory information from the spinal cord and project to the cerebellum, influencing fine motor control.

A relay center located in the spinal cord that receives sensory information from muscle spindles and tendon organs (proprioceptors). It then transmits this information to the cerebellum via the dorsal spinocerebellar tract.

A major component of the reticular formation, responsible for synthesizing the neurotransmitter serotonin (mood regulation). It also plays a role in regulating sleep-wake cycles and other functions.

A component of the reticular formation located in the medial zone. These nuclei are involved in motor coordination, particularly in postural control and muscle tone.

A component of the reticular formation located in the lateral zone of the reticular formation. These nuclei are involved in regulating the rhythm and depth of breathing. They receive input from the pontine respiratory group and project to the spinal cord, influencing respiratory muscle activity.

The premotor cortex is a brain region responsible for planning and sequencing complex movements.

The supplementary motor area (SMA) is involved in the planning and coordination of complex, sequential movements, especially those involving multiple steps.

The posterior parietal cortex transforms visual information into motor commands, allowing the brain to accurately guide and execute movements based on what we see.

Neurons from the secondary motor cortices (premotor cortex, supplementary motor area, and posterior parietal cortex) send their axons down to the spinal motor centers through the corticospinal tract.

Upper motor neurons are a type of neuron located in the motor cortex responsible for initiating and controlling voluntary muscle movements.

Betz cells are a type of upper motor neuron. Their axons are particularly large and contribute significantly to the corticospinal tract, enabling fine and precise voluntary movements.

The corticobulbar tract is a specialized part of the corticospinal tract that controls muscles of the face, head, and neck, allowing us to make facial expressions, speak, and move our eyes.

The ascending reticular activating system (ARAS) is a network of neurons that transmits signals from the brainstem to the cerebral cortex, promoting wakefulness, alertness, and conscious awareness. It regulates our state of arousal and consciousness.

Descending pathways are a collection of nerve tracts that carry signals from the brain down to the spinal cord, modulating sensory and motor activity. They influence movement, posture, and sensory processing.

The reticulospinal tract originates in the reticular formation of the brainstem and descends to the spinal cord controlling axial muscles (trunk, limbs, and posture) for complex movements and posture maintenance. It's involved in coordinating movement patterns, especially during sudden shifts in balance.

The rubrospinal tract originates in the red nucleus of the midbrain and carries signals to the spinal cord, influencing the control of proximal arm movements.

The vestibulospinal tract originates from the vestibular nuclei in the brainstem, connecting to the spinal cord. It plays a critical role in maintaining balance and posture, especially during walking and head movements.

The colliculospinal tract originates in the superior colliculus, a midbrain structure. It transmits signals to the spinal cord controlling head and neck movements, especially coordinating head and eye movements towards visual stimuli.

The direct pathway facilitates movement by inhibiting the globus pallidus interna (GPi), which in turn releases the thalamus from inhibition, allowing for the initiation of movement.

The indirect pathway inhibits movement by activating the globus pallidus interna (GPi), which inhibits the thalamus, preventing movement.

The cerebellum, often called the "little brain", is located at the base of the brain and plays a vital role in coordinating movement, balance, and motor learning. It fine-tunes motor commands and compares intended movements with actual movement, adjusting movements to minimize errors.