Corticospinal tract
From WikiLectures
The cortico-spinal tract is important for conveying sensory information to the brain and relaying output signals from the brain to the motor units
Origin[edit | edit source]
- It originates at the pre-central gyrus and at the posterior part of the frontal gyrus (areas 4 to 6)
- All fibres originate from the 5th layer of the cortex
Course[edit | edit source]
- Axons descend from the centrum semiovale to the posterior limb of the internal capsule
- From the internal capsule, fibres continue to the middle portion of the cerebral crura
- Fibres continue to the basal part of the pons, where they form connections with pontine nuclei
- Exiting the pons, two columns form on the external surface of the medulla oblongata
- 80% fibres decussate (cross-over) at the junction between the spinal cord and medulla oblongata and continue to descend on the lateral aspect of the spinal white matter as the lateral cortico-spinal tract
- Those that don't decussate, continue in the anterior spinal white matter as the anterior cortico-spinal tract
Termination[edit | edit source]
- The tracts terminate in the lateral and dorsal horns of the spinal cord and can synapse with motor neurons
Function[edit | edit source]
- Voluntary and discrete movements as well as control of sensory inputs
Links[edit | edit source]
Bibliography[edit | edit source]
SNELL, Richard S. Clinical Anatomy by Regions. 8th Edition edition. 2004. ISBN 978-0-7817-6404-9.
