TRACTS OF THE SPINALCORD

Definition of Tract – A collection of nerve fibres that connects two masses

Grey matter within the central nervous system is called a tract. Some tracts
are called fasciculi or lemnisci

Types- Tracts may be ascending or descending.

Nomenclature- They are usually named after the masses of grey matter
connected by them..

Descending Tracts

A The pyramidal or corticospinal tract descends from the cerebral cortex

to the spinal cord. It consists of two parts:
1. The lateral corticospinal tract. which lies in the lateral funiculus; and
2. The anterior corticospinal tract which lies in the anterior funiculus
B. Extrapyramidal tracts. These are:
1. The rubrospinal tract.
2. The medial and lateral reticulospinal tracts.
3. The olivospinal tract.
4. The vestibulospinal tract.
5. The tectospinal tract.

Fig- Descending Tracts of Spinal Cord

Scheme to show Descending tracts passing through Brain stem
Formula- ROT- C1-C5, MAOV- uncrossed descending tracts
Ascending Tracts
1. Lateral spinothalamic tract
2. Anterior spinothalamic tract
3. Fasciculus gracilis (medially)
4. Fasciculus cuneatus (laterally)
5. Dorsal or posterior spinocerebellar tracts.
6. Ventral or anterior spinocerebellar tract
7. Spino-olivary tract.
8. Spinotectal tract.

Fig -Ascending Tracts of Spinal Cord

Scheme to show Ascending tracts passing through Brain stem
Description of Tracts

1. Pyramidal Tract- Corticospinal Tract or

Origin - The corticospinal tracts are mainly made up of axons of neurons
lying in the motor area of the cerebral cortex (area 4). Some fibres also
arise from the premotor area (area 6) and some from the somatosensory
area (areas 3)

Course & Termination-

• From this origin fibres pas to the posterior limb of internal capsule ,
• then they pass through middle 2/3rd of crus cerebri of mid brain,
• then the fibres descend through the ventral part of pons to enter
pyramid in the upper part of medulla.
• At lower end of medulla 80% of fibres cross to opposite side, called
pyramidal decussation. The fibres that have crossed enter lateral
column of white matter of spinal cord and descend as lateral
corticospinal tract. Most of these fibres terminate by synapsing
through the internuncial neurons at the anterior horn cells
• The 20% of fibres that do not cross enter anterior white column of
spinal cord to form anterior (or ventral) corticospinal tract. The
fibres of this tract also cross at appropriate levels to reach grey
matter of the opposite half of spinal cord and synapse with
intemuncial neurons similar to those of lateral corticospinal tract.
• Thus the cerebral cortex through lateral and anterior
corticospinal tracts controls anterior horn cells of opposite half
of spinal cord

See figure next page

Function-
(i) The cerebral cortex controls voluntary movements of opposite half
of body through anterior hom cells.
(ii) Influence of corticospinal tract is supposed to be facilitatory for
flexors and inhibitory for extensors.
Extrapyramidal Tracts- These are Indirect pathways through which
cerebral cortex influence spinal cord. Function of all these tracts is to
control the voluntary movements of skeletal muscles of the body through
anterior horn cells

1. Rubrospinal tract:

Origin & Situation - This tract is formed by the axons of red nucleus which
lies in the upper part of mid brain.
Course- The fibres cross to the opposite side in the tegmentum of
midbrain; thus constituting the ventral tegmental decussation. The tract
descend through the pons and medulla oblongata and enter the lateral
white column of spinal cord. The fibres terminate by synapsing through
internuncial neurons with anterior hom cells.
Function- The tract is believed to be facilitatory to flexors and inhibitory
for extensors..
2: Reticulospinal tracts:

Origin & Course -

a) The medial reticulospinal tract is formed by the fibres from reticular

formation in pons and descends to same side cervical segments only
(no crossing over occurs). It lies in the anterior white column of spinal
cord.

b) The lateral reticulospinal tract originate from reticular formation in

medulla and the fibres cross to the opposite side in the medulla and
descend up to thoracic segments of spinal cord. It lies in the
anterolateral white column of spinal cord.

Termination-

Both the tracts terminate by synapsing with the neurons anterior grey
horn cells (interneurons)

Function-
Reticulospinal tract- is facilitatory for trunk and limb muscles and
inhibitory to neck muscles. Ie tract is concerned with postural
adjustment of head, trunk and limbs.

3. Olivospinal tract: Its fibres originate from the inferior olivary nucleus in
medulla oblongata, descend to spinal cord, lie in the antero-lateral
column of white matter and synapse with the anterior horn cells.

4. Tectospinal Tract-

Origin and course- Fibres of this tract arise from neurons in the
superior colliculus (midbrain). The fibres cross to the opposite side in the
upper part of the tegmentum of the midbrain. The crossing fibres
form the dorsal tegmental decussation (Fig. 11.9). The tract descends
through the pons and medulla into the anterior white column of the spinal
cord.
Termination- The fibres terminate by synapsing with ventral (anterior) horn
cells in cervical segments of the cord, through internuncial neurons located
in
laminae VI to VIII of the spinal grey matter.

5. Vestibulospinal tract:

Origin & Course - The fibres arise from lateral vestibular nucleus lying at
ponto-medullary junction. The fibres descend uncrossed to spinal
cord. This tract is situated in the anterior white column of spinal cord.

Termination- These fibres synapse with anterior horn cells.

Function-

The vestibulospinal tract is facilitatory to motor neurons supplying extensor

muscles of neck, back and limbs; and is inhibitory to flexor muscles.
Just reverse of rubrospinal.

Ascending Tracts- see in fig below 1st, 2nd, 3rd order Sensory Neuron
in a Sensory Pathway
 A. First Sensory Neuron- the first neuron fibres start in the dorsal root
ganglia
(i) The perpheral process of these neurons in dorsal root ganglia run
in peripheral nerves.
(ii) The central process of these neurons in the dorsal root ganglia
enter spinal cord through dorsal nerve root and end by synapsing
with dorsal grey matter of spinal cord or brain stem
B. Second Sensory neuron- The second neuron lies in spinal dorsal
grey matter or grey matter in the brain stem.
C. Third Sensory neuron- The third neuron for sensory pathway lies
in the Thalmus. From the thalamus third neuron fibres are projected
to the somato sensory areas in the cerebral cortex
1. Spinothalmic Tract- A. lateral Spinothalmic tract B. Anterior
Spinothalmic tract
A. Lateral spinothalamic tract: This tract carries the sensation of pain and
temperature.
The first neuron fibres start in the dorsal root ganglia. These relay by
synapsing with neurons lying in the grey matter of lamina II and III. Pain
fibres relay in Lamina II (substantia gelatinosa).
The second neuron .fibres cross immediately to opposite side close to
the central canal and ascend as tract in the lateral white column of spinal
cord.
2. Anterior spinothalamic tract: This tract carries the fibres for crude
touch and pressure.
First neuron fibres are in the dorsal root ganglia. These relay in the grey
matter of posterior horn or nucleus proprius (Laminae III-IV).
The second neuron fibres ascend for 1-2 segments and cross to opposite
side in the white commissure and ascend as a tract in the anterior white
column of spinal cord.

The anterior and lateral spinothalamic tracts carry sensations from

the opposite half of body.
These lie in continuity with each other in the anterolateral white column of
spinal cord showing somatotopic lamination. The sensations of pressure,
touch, temperature and pain are lying medial to lateral. Pressure ensations
are medial most near the anterior median fissure. Cervical segments are
facing medially and sacral segments face laterally.

Functions- Both Lateral and Anterior Spinothalmic tracts Carry sensations

like touch, pain, and temperature.

3. Tracts of Goll & Burdach-

A. Fasciculus gracilis (tract of Goll):

1st Order Neuron- The first order neuron fibres arises from dorsal root
ganglia starting upwards from the caudal most portion of spinal cord.

Course of fibres in spinal cord - These run directly upwards (without

relaying in the spinal grey matter) in the posterior column of white matter of
spinal cord.

As the tract ascends, it receives fibres from each dorsal root. The fibres
ascending from lower spinal segments (coccygeal & sacral) are thrust
medially by fibres which enter at higher levels.

Fasciculus gracilis fibres from coccygeal to lower thoracic segments of

spinal cord. It occupies the medial part of posterior column of upper part of
spinal cord.
B. Fasciculus cuneatus (tract of Burdach):

1st Order Neuron- The first order neuron fibres arises from dorsal root
ganglia starting upwards from thoracic region. It contains fibres from upper
thoracic and cervical segments.

Both fasciculi ( Tract of Goll and Burdach) contain first neuron fibres
from central process of dorsal root ganglia. Both these fascicule occupy
posterior column of are cal;led Posterior Column Tracts.

The fibres from both these facsiculi end by synapsing with the neurons in
nucleus gracilis and nucleus cuneatus, situated in the medulla oblongata of
the same side without crossing from where second neuron fibres take
origin.

2nd Order Neuron- Of both the tracts (Goll & Burdach) are Located in
nucleus gracilis (for tract of Goll) and nucleus cuneatus (for Tract of
Buirdach), in the medulla oblongata.

Their axons cross midline forming sensory decussation.

After crossing midline the fibres move upwards forming a bundle called
Medial Leminscus. The medial leminscus ascends upwards through pons,
mid brain and reach Thalmus.

3rd Order neuron- It is located in thalamus and sends axons to internal

capsule, corona radiate and finally to somatosensory area of cerebral
cortex.

Functions of Tracts of Goll & Burdach-

1. Deep touch and pressure

2. Ability to localize the part touched (tactile localization)
3. Ability to recognize 2 points trounced as separate from each other
(tactile discrimination)
4. Ability to recognize shape of object held in hands (Stereognosis)
5. Proprioceptive impulses – for sense of joint positions
6. Sense of vibration
5. Dorsal or posterior spinocerebellar tract:

1st order Neuron- It begins about the level of 2nd or 3rd lumbar segment of
spinal cord. The first neuron fibres are the central processes of dorsal root
ganglia. These relay in the dorsal nucleus (thoracic or Clark's column)
which lies on the medial side of the base of posterior grey column in
segments.

2nd Order Neuron- It is present in dorsal nucleus (thoracic or Clark's

column). This relay from 2nd neuron form dorsal spinocerebellar tract.
This uncrossed tract ascends in the lateral column of white matter of spinal
cord. It ascends to the level of medulla oblongata where its fibres pass
through inferior cerebellar peduncle to reach the cerebellum

6. Ventral or anterior spinocerebellar tract:

1st order Neuron- The first neuron fibres are the central processes of
dorsal root ganglia.

2nd Order Neuron – they are derived from the large cells of posterior grey
column (laminae V, VI) in the lumbar and sacral segments.
The second neuron fibres are from opposite side mainly, very- few from the
ipsilateral side. These ascend in the lateral white column of spinal cord
anterior to the fibres of dorsal spinocerebellar tract to pass through the
medulla oblongata and pons to finally reach cerebellum.

Functions - Both spinocerebellar tracts control the coordination and

movements of muscles controlling posture of the body.
The ventral tract conveys muscle and joint information from both upper
and lower limbs, while the dorsal tract receives information from trunk
and lower limbs.
Clinical-
1. Syringomyelia:

• It is the condition in which there is dilatation of central canal of spinal

cord usually beginning in cervical region.
• Decussating fibres for pain and temperature in the grey
commissureare damaged. This leads to bilateral loss of pain and
temperature in the affected region. But touch and proprioception is
present.
• Thus patient has dissociation of sensory loss. Usually the patient gets
severe infections in the fingers due to uncared cuts and bruises.

Poliomyelitis: It is a viral disease which involves anterior hom cells leading

to flaccid paralysis of the affected segments. It is lower motor neuron,
paralysis.

Following is the comparison between upper motor neuron and lower

motor neuron paralysis:

1. Brownsequared Syndrome (Hemisection of Spinal Cord) ie cutting

spinal cord laterally from half side horizontally- Effects at the level,
above the level, below the level- The hemisection of the cord results in
affect the corticospinal tract , one or both dorsal columns tracts and
the spinothalamic tract. So the patient will present with three lesions:
• The corticospinal lesion injury produces ipsilateral (same side)
spastic paralysis - hemiparesis.
 • The injury to fasciculus gracilis or fasciculus cuneatus results
in ipsilateral (same side) loss of vibration and proprioception
(joint position sense).
• The injury of the spinothalamic tact leads to pain and
temperature sensation being lost from the contralateral
(opposite) side beginning one or two segments below the lesion.
3. Describe the 6 important ascending (sensory) tracts under
following headings in tabulated form:
a. Name b. Situation. c. origin d. side. e. formed by which neuron fibre f.
termination g. function
Q. Describe the five important decussations in brainstem under the
following headings in a tabulated form-
a. situation b. source c. fate of fibres after decussations d. termination e.
function
1. Sensory Decussation-

a. situation - Medulla Oblongata

b. source - The fibres of fasciculus gracilis and fasciculus cuneatus of right
and left side cross the midline and form the sensory decussation.
c. fate of fibres after decussations- After crossing midline the fibres move
upwards forming a bundle called Medial Leminscus.
d. termination- The medial leminscus ascends upwards through pons, mid
brain and reach Thalmus
e. function- Functions of Facsiculus gracilis and fasciculus cuneatus
– following sensations carried-

a. Deep touch and pressure

b. Ability to localize the part touched (tactile localization)
c. Ability to recognize 2 points trounced as separate from each other
(tactile discrimination)
d. Ability to recognize shape of object held in hands (Stereognosis)
e. Proprioceptive impulses – for sense of joint positions
f. Sense of vibration

2.Pyrimidal Decussation-

a. situation – lower end of medulla

b. source – The corticospinal tracts are mainly formed by axons of neurons
lying in the motor area of the cerebral cortex (area 4). Some fibres also
arise from the premotor area (area 6) and some from the somatosensory
area (areas 3). These fibres first enter posterior limb of internal capsule and
then descend through brain stem (mid brain, pons and medulla). 80% of
fibres of corticospinal tract cross to opposite side at lower end of medulla
forming pyramidal decussation.
c. fate of fibres after decussations - The fibres that have crossed enter
lateral column of white matter of spinal cord and descend as lateral
corticospinal tract.
d. termination- Most of these fibres terminate by synapsing through the
internuncial neurons at the anterior horn cells

e. functions-
(i) The cerebral cortex controls voluntary movements of opposite half
of body through anterior hom cells.
(ii) Influence of corticospinal tract is supposed to be facilitatory for
flexors and inhibitory for extensors.

1. Dorsal Tegmental Decussation-

a. situation – upper part of Tegmentum (mid brain)

b. source - fibres arise from superior colliculus and cross to opposite side
to form dorsal tegmental decussation

c. fate of fibres after decussations – the fibres after crossing descend as

Tectospinal Tract through the pons and medulla into the anterior white
column of the spinal cord.

d. termination - The fibres terminate by synapsing with ventral (anterior)

horn cells in cervical segments of the cord, through internuncial neurons
located in laminae VI to VIII of the spinal grey matter.

e. function- control the voluntary movements of skeletal muscles of the

body through anterior horn cells.

2. Ventral Tegmental Decussation-

a. situation – upper part of Tegmentum (mid brain)

b. source - fibres arise from red nucleus and these fibres cross to the
opposite side in the tegmentum of midbrain; constituting the ventral
tegmental decussation.
c. fate of fibres after decussations – the fibres after crossing descend as
Rubrospinal Tract through the pons and medulla into the lateral white
column of the spinal cord.
d. termination - The fibres terminate by synapsing through internuncial
neurons with anterior horn cells.

e. function- The tract is believed to be facilitatory to flexors and inhibitory

for extensors..