KP222 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Motor Neuron, Basal Ganglia, Reticular Formation
Lecture 8:
Each tract will have a site of origin
- Rubrospinal tract: starts in the red nucleus (in the brain) and travels down to the lateral
aspect of the spinal cord
- Tectospinal: superior colliculi
Tecto, vesti, recti = ventralmedial part of the cord
- Inputting to muscle groups
- Make a lot of bilateral projections
- Project to proximal muscles
- Ventralmedial position: the spinal cord has an arrangement and more proximal muscles
are more medial and distal muscles in the hand/feet are more lateral
Vestibular: goes to both sides of the cord
- Stabilize the entire upper shoulder girdle so the upper limbs can stay in place when you
grab (don’t think about it)
- Postural component is driven by the brainstem
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Each tract will have a site of origin. Rubrospinal tract: starts in the red nucleus (in the brain) and travels down to the lateral aspect of the spinal cord. Tecto, vesti, recti = ventralmedial part of the cord. Vestibular: goes to both sides of the cord. Stabilize the entire upper shoulder girdle so the upper limbs can stay in place when you grab (don"t think about it) Ventralmedial position: the spinal cord has an arrangement and more proximal muscles are more medial and distal muscles in the hand/feet are more lateral. Tectospinal: positions vision and head for the target object. Help people who are rehibitating from brain injury. Cerebellum: to brain stem spinal cord (indirectly) = back to cerebellum. Produce graded muscle contractions: recruitment of motor units. The motor neurons that have a small cell body: slow oxidative muscle fibers. The first neurons that are activated are the small motor units.
