Ascending and

Descending tracts of
the central nervous
system
Dr Chathuranga Ranasinghe

Learning outcomes
Describe stretch reflex
Describe upper motor neuron and lower motor neuron
Describe the motor pathways(corticospinal, pyramidal

tracts) and arrangement

Outline the functions of the extrapyramidal system
Briefly describe pathways for Pain, touch ,vibration
Briefly describe the physiology of pain
Outline the functions of cerebellum , brain stem

Neuron

Neuromuscular junction

Spinal cord

Reflex arc
Involuntary response to stimulus
Parts of a reflex arc
Neuromuscular spindle
In spinal cord reflex arc plays a main role in
maintaining muscle tone basis of posture
Muscle tone continuous partial contraction of
muscle depend on reflex arc
This reflex arcs in the spinal cord is effected by the
descending tracts from higher centers

Muscle spindle

 Muscle spindle is sensitive to stretch

/ change of length

Golgi tendon Organ

Reciprocal innervation

Crossed extensor reflex

 What is Upper motor neuron?

What is lower motor neuron?

Upper motor neuron and lower

motor neuron

Upper motor neuron and lower

motor neuron
Lesions
Corticospinal excitatory- increase muscle
tone
Other tracts inhibit muscle tone
Hypotonia
Reflex arc disrupted

Hypertonia
Extrapyramidal tracts disrupted
But clinically isolated lesions are rare

What are ascending and

descending tracts?

Descending tracts
1. Corticospinal tract (Pyramidal
tract)
Lateral
Anterior

2. Extrapyramydal tracts

Descending tracts
First order neuron(upper motor)- cerebral cortexcorona radiata- post limb of internal capsule In the pons
In medulla- anteriorly pyramids
Inferior medulla deccussation of pyramids
Lateral corticospinal tract
Fibers do not cross anterior corticospinal tract
later cross-cervical and upper thoracic
Anterior gray column- 2nd order neuron(inter
neuron) or directly
3rd order neuron(lower motor) alpha or gamma
motor neuron

Brain stem

Corticospinal tract
Also called pyramidal tract
Perform rapid skilled movements
Branches given to other parts of cortex, nuclei
Receive information from other descending
tracts(extrapyramidal tracts)
Continues tonic excitatory influence on lower
motor neuron

Extrapyramidal tracts
Reticulospinal influence voluntery movements and
reflex activity
Tectospinal reflex posturalmovements in response
to visual stimuli
Vestibulospinal- muscle activity association with
balance (inner ear, cerebellum)
Rubrospinal
Inhibitory influence in muscle tone(LMN)
Functions?

Ascending tracts
1. Lateral spinothalamic tract- Pain
and temparature2. Anterior spinothalamic tract- Touch
and pressure
3. Posterior white columns
Two point discrimination
Proprioception
Vibration

Lateral spinothalamic
tract

Pain and temperature

Fast a delta
Slow c fibers
Above fibers heat and cold

Pathway
First order neuron- posterior rootposterior gray column- 2nd order neuroncross to other side within one spinal
segment- ascend lateral spinothalamic
At medulla form the spinal leminiscus
with the anterior spinothalamic tract
3rd order neuron at thalamus- post limb of
internal capsule- corona radiata- sensory
cortex

Pain
Influenced by emotional state and
past experience
Fast- 12-30 m/s
Sharp,acute
Glutamate

Slow- 0.5-2 m/s

Burning, aching
Substance P

Gating theory
Peripheral nerve fiber and dorsal
horn cell( gate)
Considerable plasticity
Stimulate large fibers touch
Collaterals from those fibers Inhibit
pain fibers at dorsal horn
When that stimuli taken off pain
occur again

Anterior spinothalamic tract

Same as lateral spinothalamic tract
Take touch and pressure sensations
Cross to other side within
several spinal segments
Make spinal leminiscus with lateral
spinothalamic tract

Discriminative touch, vibration,

proprioception(conscious)

Posterior white column

Sacral, lumber ,lower 6 thoracic- fasciculus
gracilis
Upper thorsic, cervical- fasciculus cuneatus
Ascend ipsilaterally
2nd order gracilis cuneatus nucleas at medulla
Sensory deccusation
Ascend as medial leminiscus
3rd order nueron at thalumus- post limb of internal
capsule- corona radiata- sensory cortex
Cuneocerebellar tract proprioceptive sense to
cerebellum

 Read other ascending tracts

Spinocerebellar tractsetc

Cerebellum
Functions
Receive proprioceptive,visual, balance
input from body and a copy of motor
plan from the motor cortex
Smoothness and coordination of motor
activity by influencing cortex and brain
stem
Equilibrium and learning
Control of limb muscles

Cerebellum
Clinical

Wide drunken gait, ataxia

Scanning of speech
Past pointing
Intention tremor
Rebound phenomenon cant put
brakes
Adiadochokinesia

Brain stem
Functions
Serves as a conduit for ascending and
descending tracts which connect spinal
cord and higher centers.
Contains important centers which control
Respiration
Cardiovascular system
Consciousness

Has cranial nerve nuclei iii to xii

Learning outcomes
Describe stretch reflex
Describe upper motor neuron and lower motor neuron
Describe the motor pathways(corticospinal, pyramidal

tracts) and arrangement

Outline the functions of the extrapyramidal system
Briefly describe pathways for Pain, touch ,vibration
Briefly describe the physiology of pain
Outline the functions of cerebellum , brain stem

Questions?
1. List 3 important ascending tracts.name
function of one tract
2. What is the function of the corticospinal
tract
3. Arrange the sections of the central
nervous system from cortex
downwards(write the letters A,B,C)
4. Mark the pathway of stimuli which cause
movement of left big toe(L5 nerve root)

Write the pathway

Primary motor cortex ..side (..motor neuron)

Corona radiata
Internal capsule side
Descending tract in midbrain, pons
..
Lower medulla ..tract.. Side
.. Corticospinal tract on .side
Descend
Dorsal horn of L 5 segment on the .side
.(interneuron)
3rd order neuron (..motor neuron)..side
Left big toe movement

Separate paper.answer
1. Were you able to understand the lecture
clearly?
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2. Are the pictures used helpful?
No very well
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10

3. Was the lecture interesting or not?

. (Not interesting)
than before)
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(Same as before)
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(interesting
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