Podcast
Questions and Answers
Where is the leg represented in relation to the face in the cortical representations?
Where is the leg represented in relation to the face in the cortical representations?
- Superiorly
- Most medially (correct)
- Inferiorly
- Most laterally
Which anatomical level of the spinal cord is thickest?
Which anatomical level of the spinal cord is thickest?
- Cervical (correct)
- Lumbar
- Sacral
- Thoracic
What is the origin of the lateral corticospinal tract?
What is the origin of the lateral corticospinal tract?
- Cerebellum
- Hippocampus
- Thalamus
- Primary motor cortex of the brain (correct)
Where does the lateral corticospinal tract cross to the opposite side?
Where does the lateral corticospinal tract cross to the opposite side?
Which division of the nervous system is involved in 'fight-or-flight' functions?
Which division of the nervous system is involved in 'fight-or-flight' functions?
Where do parasympathetic efferents arise from?
Where do parasympathetic efferents arise from?
What type of neurotransmitter does the parasympathetic division use?
What type of neurotransmitter does the parasympathetic division use?
Which descending motor pathway is clinically the most important?
Which descending motor pathway is clinically the most important?
What are the efferents arising from the thoracolumbar spinal cord known as?
What are the efferents arising from the thoracolumbar spinal cord known as?
What can patterns of weakness be useful for in a clinical context?
What can patterns of weakness be useful for in a clinical context?
Where does the lateral corticospinal tract descend through?
Where does the lateral corticospinal tract descend through?
At which anatomical location does the lateral corticospinal tract cross to the opposite side?
At which anatomical location does the lateral corticospinal tract cross to the opposite side?
What is the clinical significance of the lateral corticospinal tract?
What is the clinical significance of the lateral corticospinal tract?
Where does the lateral corticospinal tract originate mainly?
Where does the lateral corticospinal tract originate mainly?
Which part of the spinal cord is thickest?
Which part of the spinal cord is thickest?
What structure do fiber bundles along the ventral medulla form?
What structure do fiber bundles along the ventral medulla form?
Which part of the brain does the lateral corticospinal tract descend through?
Which part of the brain does the lateral corticospinal tract descend through?
What is the main function of the lateral corticospinal tract?
What is the main function of the lateral corticospinal tract?
Which descending motor pathway is involved in controlling voluntary movements, particularly of the distal musculature?
Which descending motor pathway is involved in controlling voluntary movements, particularly of the distal musculature?
What type of neurotransmitter does the sympathetic division use on end organs?
What type of neurotransmitter does the sympathetic division use on end organs?
Which descending motor pathway is involved in the control of postural muscles and reflex movements?
Which descending motor pathway is involved in the control of postural muscles and reflex movements?
What are efferents arising from the thoracolumbar spinal cord known as?
What are efferents arising from the thoracolumbar spinal cord known as?
Which descending motor pathway originates from the superior and inferior colliculi and is involved in reflex head movements in response to visual and auditory stimuli?
Which descending motor pathway originates from the superior and inferior colliculi and is involved in reflex head movements in response to visual and auditory stimuli?
What are the two main divisions of the autonomic nervous system?
What are the two main divisions of the autonomic nervous system?
Where does the parasympathetic division synapse in preparation for reaching its end organs?
Where does the parasympathetic division synapse in preparation for reaching its end organs?
Which neurotransmitter does the parasympathetic division use as its peripheral neurotransmitter on end organs?
Which neurotransmitter does the parasympathetic division use as its peripheral neurotransmitter on end organs?
Which division of the nervous system subserves 'rest and digest' functions, such as increased salivation and peristalsis?
Which division of the nervous system subserves 'rest and digest' functions, such as increased salivation and peristalsis?
Study Notes
Cortical Representations and Spinal Cord
- The leg is represented in the cortical representations in the medial part of the primary motor cortex, adjacent to the face.
- The cervical enlargement level of the spinal cord is the thickest.
Lateral Corticospinal Tract
- The lateral corticospinal tract originates from the primary motor cortex and premotor cortex.
- The lateral corticospinal tract crosses to the opposite side at the medullospinal junction.
- The tract descends through the ventral funiculus of the spinal cord and is involved in controlling voluntary movements, particularly of the distal musculature.
- The tract originates mainly from the contralateral primary motor cortex and premotor cortex.
Autonomic Nervous System
- The sympathetic nervous system is involved in 'fight-or-flight' functions, and the parasympathetic nervous system is involved in 'rest and digest' functions, such as increased salivation and peristalsis.
- The parasympathetic efferents arise from the cranial nerves III, VII, IX, and X, and the sacral spinal cord.
- The parasympathetic division uses acetylcholine as its peripheral neurotransmitter on end organs and synapses in the ganglia in preparation for reaching its end organs.
Descending Motor Pathways
- The lateral corticospinal tract is clinically the most important and is involved in controlling voluntary movements, particularly of the distal musculature.
- The efferents arising from the thoracolumbar spinal cord are known as the sympathetic nervous system.
- The tectospinal tract originates from the superior and inferior colliculi and is involved in reflex head movements in response to visual and auditory stimuli.
Clinical Significance
- Patterns of weakness can be useful for localizing lesions in a clinical context.
- The lateral corticospinal tract is clinically significant due to its involvement in controlling voluntary movements, particularly of the distal musculature.
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Description
Test your knowledge of neuroanatomy with this quiz on motor and sensory pathways, including cortical representations and the appearance of the spinal cord at different levels. Explore the clinically important corticospinal tract and its anatomy.
