56 Questions
Where do the pyramidal motor tracts originate?
Cortex
Which motor pathway is responsible for reflex movements?
Extrapyramidal pathway
What is the function of the corticospinal tract?
Provides skill, precision, and agility during voluntary movements
Which part of the brain helps maintain posture and balance?
Cerebellum
Where does the rubrospinal tract originate?
Red nucleus of the midbrain
What is the function of the ventromedial motor tracts?
Controls posture and axial muscles
Which motor pathway receives input from the cerebellum and motor cortex?
Rubrospinal tract
What is the primary function of the basal ganglia in motor control?
Helps establish muscle tone and integrate semi-voluntary automatic movements
Which type of lesion results in weakness and hyperreflexia?
Upper Motor Neuron
Which of the following is a sign of upper motor neuron lesion?
Hyperreflexia
Which reflex absence suggests an Upper Motor Neuron lesion?
Abdominal reflex
What is a suggestive sign of upper motor neuron lesion if present?
Absence of abdominal reflex
What is a characteristic of Lower Motor Neuron lesions?
Flaccid paralysis
What is a characteristic sign of lower motor neuron lesion?
Flaccid paralysis
Which condition affects the alpha motor neurons in children?
Polio
Which condition is caused by a virus affecting the alpha motor neurons in children?
Polio
What is the result of injury to Lower Motor Neurons?
Hyporeflexia
What is the role of the corticospinal tract on alpha motor neurons?
Inhibitory
Where does a lesion above the decussation of the corticospinal tract lead to weakness?
Contralateral lower face
What is the result of injury to lower motor neurons?
Decreased or absent reflexes (hyporeflexia)
What is a characteristic of Upper Motor Neuron lesion signs?
Pathological reflexes
What is a characteristic sign of upper motor neuron lesion in the brain or brainstem?
Contralateral upper motor neuron signs
What plays a large inhibitory role on alpha motor neurons?
Corticospinal tract
What is a possible sign of lower motor neuron lesion involving several levels of the cord?
Decrease in muscle bulk/atrophy
Which motor tract is responsible for voluntary movements and originates in the cortex?
Corticospinal
Which motor tract facilitates flexor and inhibits extensor motor neurons?
Rubrospinal
Which part of the brain helps establish muscle tone and integrate semi-voluntary automatic movements?
Basal ganglia
Which motor pathway includes synapses in basal ganglia, thalamus, reticular formation, and cerebellum?
Indirect pathway
Which motor neuron type is considered the 'Final Common Pathway'?
Lower Motor Neuron
Which motor tract originates in the red nucleus of the midbrain?
Rubrospinal
Which motor tract is responsible for controlling posture and axial muscles?
Ventromedial Pathway
Which motor pathway provides skill, precision, fractionation, speed, and agility during voluntary movements?
Corticospinal tract
Which tract originates in the superior colliculus of midbrain?
Tectospinal tract
Which tract stimulates flexors and inhibits extensors?
Medullary (Lateral) Reticulospinal Tract
Which tract stimulates extensors and has an ipsilateral effect?
Lateral Vestibulospinal Tract
Which descending tract originates in the reticular formation and influences posture?
Reticulospinal tracts (ReSpT)
Which neurons influence lower motor neurons and originate in the motor cortex and brain stem nuclei?
Upper Motor Neurons
Which signs are characteristic of lower motor neuron lesions?
Fasciculations
Which type of reflex is monosynaptic and involves deep tendon stimulation?
Stretch Reflex
Which tract originates in the hypothalamus and terminates on preganglionic neurons?
Hypothalamospinal tract
Which tract originates in the nucleus of the tractus solitarius and medullary reticular formation?
Solitariospinal tract
Which type of reflex testing is an easy way to screen test the nerve and/or cord?
Reflex Testing
Which signs are characteristic of upper motor neuron lesions?
Spasticity
Which descending tract is responsible for reflex head movements in response to visual, auditory, and cutaneous stimuli?
Tectospinal tract
Which tract originates in the superior colliculus of midbrain?
Tectospinal tract
Which tract stimulates extensors (extensor bias) and inhibits flexors ipsilaterally?
Pontine (Medial) Reticulospinal Tract
Which tract originates from the vestibular nuclei to anterior horn length of the cord, ipsilaterally?
Lateral Vestibulospinal Tract
Which descending tract originates from the reticular formation and terminates in the dorsal horn, influencing the endogenous analgesic system?
Raphespinal pathway
Which neurons influence lower motor neurons and originate in the motor cortex and brain stem nuclei?
Upper Motor Neurons
Which reflex is monosynaptic and involves deep tendon reflex and myotactic reflex?
Stretch Reflex
Which reflex testing can be done on most muscles but typical ones are checked clinically, such as Biceps – C5 and Patellar – L4?
Reflex Testing
Which type of lesion produces characteristic signs such as spasticity, hyper-reflexia, and decreased/absent superficial reflexes?
Upper Motor Neuron Lesion
Which neurons form the final common pathway to skeletal muscle?
Lower Motor Neurons
Which sign is typically associated with lower motor neuron lesions?
Fasciculations
Which motor system level, side, and specific structures are typically checked during motor exam for identifying lesions or dysfunctions?
Observation, Inspection, Palpation, Muscle tone testing
Which nervous system does the Hypothalamus control?
Autonomic Nervous System
Study Notes
Motor Control and Reflexes
- The pyramidal motor tracts originate in the primary motor cortex.
- The spinocerebellar tract is responsible for reflex movements.
- The corticospinal tract, also known as the pyramidal tract, is responsible for voluntary movements and originates in the cortex.
- The cerebellum helps maintain posture and balance.
- The rubrospinal tract originates in the red nucleus of the midbrain.
- The ventromedial motor tracts facilitate flexor and inhibit extensor motor neurons.
- The corticospinal tract receives input from the cerebellum and motor cortex.
- The basal ganglia play a large inhibitory role on alpha motor neurons and help regulate motor control.
Upper and Lower Motor Neuron Lesions
- Upper motor neuron lesions result in weakness, hyperreflexia, and spasticity.
- Signs of upper motor neuron lesions include hyperreflexia, clonus, and a positive Babinski sign.
- A characteristic sign of upper motor neuron lesions is a positive Babinski sign.
- Lower motor neuron lesions result in weakness, atrophy, and fasciculations.
- Signs of lower motor neuron lesions include weakness, atrophy, fasciculations, and decreased or absent deep tendon reflexes.
Alpha Motor Neurons and Reflexes
- Alpha motor neurons are responsible for transmitting signals from the central nervous system to muscles.
- The corticospinal tract has an excitatory effect on alpha motor neurons.
- Injury to lower motor neurons results in weakness, atrophy, and fasciculations.
- Polio is a condition that affects alpha motor neurons in children, caused by a virus.
Other Motor Tracts and Pathways
- The tectospinal tract originates in the superior colliculus of the midbrain and is responsible for reflex head movements.
- The vestibulospinal tract originates in the vestibular nuclei and terminates on preganglionic neurons, influencing posture and balance.
- The reticulospinal tract originates in the reticular formation and influences posture and axial muscles.
Reflex Testing
- Deep tendon reflex testing is a way to screen test the nerve and/or cord.
- Reflex testing can be done on most muscles, but typical ones are clinically checked, such as biceps (C5) and patellar (L4) reflexes.
Test your knowledge of motor tracts with this quiz! Learn about the two groups of descending motor tracts, including the pyramidal and extrapyramidal tracts, and their subtypes such as corticospinal, corticobulbar, vestibulospinal, tectospinal, reticulospinal, rubrospinal, and olivospinal tracts. Explore the role of these tracts in controlling voluntary, reflex, and automatic body movements.
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