Spinal Tracts

Question 1

What is the function and location of the Lateral Corticospinal tract?

Answer 1

Voluntary movement, contraction of individual or small groups of muscles.

Location: Lateral white columns

Question 2

What is the function and location of the Anterior Corticospinal tract?

Answer 2

Same as lateral corticospinal tract except mainly muscles of same side.

Location: Anterior white columns

Question 3

What is the function and location of the Lateral Reticlospinal tract?

Answer 3

Mainly facilitatory influence on motor neurons to skeletal neurons to skeletal muscles.

Location: Lateral white columns

Question 4

What is the function and location of the Medial Reticulospinal?

Answer 4

Mainly inhibitory infleunce on motor neurons to skeletal muscles.

Anterior white columns

Question 5

What is the function and location of the Rubrospinal tract?

Answer 5

Coordination of body movement and posture.

Location: Lateral white columns

Question 6

What is the function and location of the Vestibulospinal tract?

Answer 6

Mediates the influencesof the vestibular end organ and the cerebellum upon extensor muscle tone.

Location: Lateral white columns

Question 7

What is the function and location of the Tectospinal tract (colliculospinal tract)?

Answer 7

Coordination of head, neck and eye movements.
Anterior white columns