Spinocerebellar Tract
What is the brain's awareness of where your limbs are in space called?
Proprioception
What are the 3 primary functions of the DCML tract?
Proprioception, pressure, and discriminative touch from the body
What are the 3 primary functions of the spinothalamic tract?
Pain, temperature, and crude touch from the body
What is the primary function of the trigeminal system?
All cutaneous sensations from the face (pain, touch, temperature, pressure)
Someone experiencing ataxia may have had damage to which system?
The cerebellar tracts
Afferent or efferent? Why?
Afferent; spine-->cerebellum
What is the role of the 1st order neuron for this system?
What sensations are derived from "free nerve endings"?
Pain and temperature
How do systems from the neck-up (such as the trigeminal system) receive signals, compared to bodily systems?
Cranial nerves
A client has a stroke in an anterior spinal artery, which supplies the anterior two-thirds of the spinal cord. What system(s) will likely be affected?
Spinothalamic tracts
Is the spinocerebellar tract more complex or simpler?
Simpler (spinal cord + cerebellum = lower in NS)
What is the role of the 2nd-order neuron?
It is a multipolar neuron that transmits the signal to cell bodies in the medulla, which then decussates and synapses with the 3rd-order neuron
What is "crude" touch?
The registration of touch on the body, but not very precise/ specific (e.g., finger tips vs. kneecap sensation)
Where are most cell bodies for 1st-order neurons located in this system?
Trigeminal ganglion in the pons
A client has a stroke in a posterior spinal artery, which supplies the dorsal surface of the spinal cord. What system(s) will likely be affected?
DCML system
Cerebellar tracts are _______ perceived (consciously/ unconsciously)
unconsciously
What is the role of the 3rd-order neuron?
It is a multipolar neuron that transmits the signal from the point of decussation in the medulla to the thalamus
Where is the point of decussation for 2nd-order neurons in the spinothalamic tract?
In the spinal cord
Where do most 2nd-order neuron axons decussate in this system?
In the brainstem
Damage to the spinothalamic tract will likely result in what symptoms?
Hemiplegia (paralysis of one half of the body), loss of pain and temperature to the contralateral side
Tracts to the cerebellum are important for what bodily functions?
Transmit information affecting one's posture, balance, and coordination of skilled movements
Where does the 3rd-order neuron's axon end?
Primary somatosensory cortex in the postcentral gyrus
The 3rd-order neuron's cell bodies are located in the ______.
Thalamus
Where do the 3rd-order neurons end?
Primary somatosensory cortex in the postcentral gyrus
What is at least one other pathology NOT from the spinal cord or PNS that could affect sensation? (think neck-up)
Brainstem stroke or PCA stroke to the thalamus could block afferent pathways, tumor/ stroke in the associated area of the primary somatosensory cortex (e.g., homunculus)