11 Questions
What is the function of the lateral tectospinal tract?
Directing the eye and turning the head towards a light source
Where does the ventral tectospinal tract originate from?
Inferior colliculus
Which structure provides projection fibers to the mentioned tract system?
Globus pallidus
What is the main function of the ventral tectospinal tract?
Turning the head to direct the ears towards a sound source
Which part of the spinal cord does the lateral tectospinal tract terminate in?
Cervical segments
Which reticular nuclei mainly excite the antigravity muscles?
Pontine reticular nuclei
Which reticulospinal tract inhibits the gamma motor neurons, thus inhibiting the stretch reflex?
Lateral reticulospinal tract
Where do most fibers of the lateral reticulospinal tract descend in?
Same side of the spinal cord
Which tract arises in the cells of the inferior olive of the medulla and is found only in the cervical region of the spinal cord?
Olivospinal tract
What is the function of the ventral reticulospinal tract?
Facilitate gamma motor neurons
Which set of nuclei function mainly antagonistically, where one excites antigravity muscles and the other relaxes them?
Pontine and medullary reticular nuclei
Study Notes
Tectospinal Tracts
- The lateral tectospinal tract terminates in the cervical region of the spinal cord.
- The ventral tectospinal tract originates from the ipsilateral superior colliculus.
Reticulospinal Tracts
- The pontine reticular nuclei mainly excite the antigravity muscles.
- The medullary reticulospinal tract inhibits the gamma motor neurons, thus inhibiting the stretch reflex.
Lateral Reticulospinal Tract
- Most fibers of the lateral reticulospinal tract descend in the ventrolateral funiculus.
Olivospinal Tract
- The olivospinal tract arises in the cells of the inferior olive of the medulla and is found only in the cervical region of the spinal cord.
Ventral Reticulospinal Tract
- The function of the ventral reticulospinal tract is to relax antigravity muscles.
Reticular Nuclei
- The pontine and medullary reticular nuclei function mainly antagonistically, where one excites antigravity muscles and the other relaxes them.
Learn about the tectospinal tracts, including the lateral tectospinal tract and the ventral tectospinal tract, their origins, pathways, and functions in directing eye and head movements. Explore how these tracts receive input from the basal ganglia and superior colliculus.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
