Corticospinal Tract Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the function of the corticospinal tract?

The corticospinal tract carries movement-related information from the motor cortex to the spinal cord.

What are upper motor neurons?

Upper motor neurons are neurons that travel in the corticospinal tract and leave the motor cortex to descend to the brainstem.

What is the difference between the lateral and ventral corticospinal tracts?

The lateral corticospinal tract controls the movement of distal muscles, while the ventral corticospinal tract controls the movement of proximal muscles. Additionally, fibers in the lateral corticospinal tract cross to the opposite side of the body at the pyramidal decussation, while fibers in the ventral corticospinal tract only cross over when they reach the level of the spinal cord where they will synapse on a lower motor neuron.

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Study Notes

Corticospinal Tract Function

The corticospinal tract is a pathway that carries motor signals from the brain to the spinal cord, transmitting voluntary motor signals to control muscle movements.

Upper Motor Neurons

Upper motor neurons are neurons that originate in the cerebral cortex and transmit signals to lower motor neurons in the spinal cord, which then transmit signals to muscles and glands.

Lateral and Ventral Corticospinal Tracts

The lateral corticospinal tract is a pathway that crosses over to the opposite side of the spinal cord, controlling muscles on the opposite side of the body.
The ventral corticospinal tract is a pathway that does not cross over, controlling muscles on the same side of the body.
The lateral tract is larger and more important for voluntary motor control, while the ventral tract is smaller and has a more limited role in motor control.