Descending tracts

Motor neuron- lower motor neuron

These are situated in the anterior gray

column of SC and send axons to innervate
skeletal muscles through the anterior roots
of the spinal nerves

Descending tracts

Descend in white matter from different

supraspinal nerve centers which are
segregated into nerve bundles called
DESCENDING TRACTS

Upper motor neurons

These supraspinal neurons & their tracts
are sometimes referred to as the upper
motor neurons
They provide numerous separate pathways
that can influence motor activity

Names of descending tracts

1. Corticospinal tracts (lateral and anterior)
2. Reticulospinal tracts
3. Tectospinal tracts
4. Rubrospinal tracts
5. Vestibulospinal tracts
6. Olivospinal tracts
7. Descending autonomic fibers

FUNCTIONS OF THE
DESCENDING TRACTS

Corticospinal tracts

Voluntary, discreet, skilled movements

especially those of the distal parts of the
limbs

Reticulospinal tracts

May facilitate or inhibit the activity of the

alpha and gamma motor neurons in the
anterior gray columns

Tectospinal tracts

Is concerned with reflex postural

movements in response to visual stimuli

Rubrospinal tracts

Facilitates the activity of flexor muscles

Inhibits the reflexes of extensor muscles

Vestibulospinal tract
Facilitates the activity of extensor muscles
Inhibits the activity of flexor muscles
Concerned with postural activity associated
with balance

Olivospinal tract

May play a role in muscular activity

Function is doubtful

Descending autonomic fibers

Concerned with the control of visceral

activity

Order neurons
1st order neuron- cell body in cerebral cortex
2nd order neuron- from 1st order, axon descends
to synapse on 2nd order neuron situated in the
anterior gray column of SC
3rd order neuron- from 2nd order, axon is short
and synapse with the 3rd order neuron to
innervate the skeletal muscles through the
anterior root & spinal nerves

TRACT

LOCATION OF UMN

CORTICOSPINAL PATHWAYS
1. Lateral
Primary motor
cortex
(cerebral
hemisphere)
1. Anterior

MEDIAL PATHWAYS
1. Vestibulospinal
Vestibular nuclei
1. Tectospinal
Midbrain

1. Reticulospinal

LATERAL PATHWAY
1. Rubrospinal

Reticular formation
(network of nuclei in
brainstem)
Red nuclei
(midbrain)

DESTINATION
(termination)

SITE OF
DECUSSATION
(cross over)

LMN of ant gray

horn
of SC

Pyramids of medulla
oblongata

Level of LMN

LMN of ant gray

horns
of SC (cervical
spine)
LMN of ant gray
horns of SC

Uncrossed
Brainstem

LMN of ant gray

horns
of SC

Brainstem

Uncrossed