Ascending tracts of mechanoceptor

Type Sensation 1st Order Dorsal Column Lemniscal Pathway -Fine Touch -Vibration -Conscious proprioceptive (joint) -Thick myelinated rapidly conducting A and A fibres enter the spinal cord via dorsal root pass to dorsal white column pass to dorsal gray matter -Fibres from lower half of body (below T6) ascend in the most medial part of dorsal column fasciculus gracilis -Fibres from upper half of body (upper T6) ascend in the most lateral part of dorsal column fasciculus cuneatus -Both ascend ipsilaterally relay in gracile and cuneate nuclei of medulla -Axons of gracile and cuneate nuclei cross to opposite side internal arcuate fibres medial lemniscus relay in the ventral posterolateral nucleus of thalamus Ventral Spinothalamic Tract -Crude touch -Pressure -Itch and tickle -Unmyelinated C fibres enter spinal cord via dorsal root relay in the middle of dorsal horn Dorsal and Ventral Spinocerebellar Tracts -Unconscious proprioceptive (muscle) -Thick myelinated A fibres enter spinal cord via dorsal root terminate on Clarks column at the base of dorsal horn

2nd Order

-Cross at opposite site at central canal of spinal cord anterior spinothalamic tract terminate in ventral posterolateral nucleus of thalamus

Dorsal spino-cerebellar tract -Fibres ascend on the same side of spinal cord in posterolateral column of white matter medulla pass through cerebellar peduncle terminate in vermis of cerebellum Ventral spino-cerebellar tract -Some fibres on the same side, some cross to opposite side both ascend in anterolateral white column of spinal cord crossed fibre recross and pass with the crossed fibres at midbrain through superior pudencle terminate in vermis of cerebellum -Cerebellar vermis cerebellar cortex

-Ascend as sensory radiation terminate in sensory area of cerebral cortex in postcentral gyrus 3rd Order Other ascending tracts: Spino-olivary tract: Spinal cord inferior olivary nucleus of medulla (functions: motor learning, modifying motor actions) Spino-tectal tract: Cervical cord Tectum of brain (function: integration of spinal + visual and auditory stiimuli)

Created by Qosru Iskandariah