Neuroanatomy 1. The Dorsal Column- Medial Lemniscus Pathway A. Mediates Conscious Perception Of 1. Light Touch 2. Vibration and 3.

Proprioception The First Order Neuron In The Dorsal Root Ganglion A. Transmits A Stimulus To The Second Order Neuron In The Posterior Column Of The Ipsilateral Medulla. Nucleus Gracilis Carries Sensations From The Legs Nucleus Cuneatus Carries Sensations From The Arms Fibers Cross The Midline To Form The Medial Lemniscus & To Form A Third Synapse With The Third Order Neuron In The VPL Nucleus Of The Thalamus These Fibers Project To The Somatosensory Cortex Of The Post Central Gyrus. 2.The Spinothalamic Tract or Anterolateral Pathway A. Mediates Conscious Perception Of Pain & Temperature. B. It Also Has Some Touch & Pressure Receptors. C. The First Order Neurons In The Dorsal Root Ganglion Transmit A Stimulus To The Second Order Neuron In The Dorsal Horn Of The Spinal Cord Gray Matter. D. Fibers From The Dorsal Horn Cross The Midline , Forming The Spinothalamic Tract E. Ascend & Synapse With Third Order Neurons Of The VPL Nucleus Of The Thalamus. F. These Fibers Project To The Somatosensory Cortex Of The Post Central Gyrus.

3.Descending Corticospinal Tracts: A. The Major Outflow Tract Is Important For Controlling Precise Movements Mediated By The Distal Muscles Of The Extremities. B. Other Motor Pathways Originating In The Brainstem c 1.Control Truncal & Proximal Limb Musculature & Posture. The Corticospinal Tract A. Originates From The Pre-Central Gyrus Of The Cerebral Cortex & B. Is Somatopically Arranged. C. The First Order Neurons Are Upper Motor Neurons That Arise In The Motor Cortex & Descend In The Brainstem To The Medulla. D. Most Cross In The Pyramids Of The Medulla & E. Give Rise To The Lateral Corticospinal Tract. F. These Fibers Descend Through The Lateral Funiculus & Synapse On Ssecond Order Neurons . G. The Other 10% Of The Fibers That Do Not Cross In The Pyramids Descend In The Anterior Funiculus & Form The Anterior Corticospinal Tract H. The Second Order Neurons (Lower Motor Neurons) Are The Ventral Motor Horn Neurons In The Spinal Cord Which Are Also Arranged Somatotopically. They Project Through The Ventral Roots To Synapse On The Skeletal Muscle. Muscle Weakness Can Develop As A Result Of Damage To: A. Upper Motor Neurons Or B. Lower Motor Neurons: Upper Motor Neuron Damage: A. Results In Increased Muscle Tone & B. Hyperactive Reflexes. C. There Is A Positive Babinski Sign 1. With Fanning & 2. Dorsiflexion Of The Big Toe When The Sole Of The Foot Is Stroked Firmly.

Lower Motor Neuron Damage: A. Results In Decreased Muscle Tone B. Absent Or Hypoactive Reflexes & Muscle Atrophy. 4. Cerebellar Pathways: A. The Posterior Spinocerebellar Pathway 1. Carry Mainly Proprioceptive Information From Muscle Spindles & Golgi Tendon Organs Of The Ipsilateral Leg. 2. The Fibers Synapse In Clarkes Nucleus. 3. Fibers Run In The Ipsilateral Posterior Spinocerebellar Tract, 4. Enter the Inferior Cerebellar Peduncle& 5. End Ipsilaterally In The Vermis Of The Anterior Lobe Of The Cerebellum B. The Anterior Spinocerebellar Pathway: 1. Carries Afferents From The Golgi Tendon Organs & Cutaneous Receptors. 2. They Cross Immediately In The Spinal cord, 3. Ascend To The Pons 4. Loop Over The Superior Cerebellar Peduncle & 5. Recros In The Vermis Of The Anterior Lobe. 6. Thus The Fibers Cross Twice Ending On The Same Side Of Their Origin In The Cerebellum C. The Cuneocerebellar Pathway: 1. Carries Proprioceptive Information From The Upper Body (Arms) 2. Fibers Travel In The Fasciculus Cuneatus To The Lateral Cuneate Nucleus In The Medulla (Analogous to Clarkes Nucleus). 3. Axons from The Cuneocerebellar Tract Project Ipsilaterally To The Inferior Cerebellar Peduncle To The Vermis Of The Cerebellum