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AAT Bioquest

What are the various pathways that the upper motor neurons can travel?

Posted January 10, 2024


Answer

Main pathways that the upper motor neurons can travel include: 

  • Corticospinal tract: This pathway connects the motor cortex to the spinal cord and is responsible for fine voluntary motor control of the limbs as well as voluntary body posture adjustments.
  • Colliculospinal tract: Also known as the tectospinal tract, this pathway connects the superior colliculus in the midbrain to the lower motor neurons. It is a nerve tract that is responsible for reflex movements of the head and trunk in response to visual and auditory stimuli.  
  • Corticobulbar tract: This tract involves connections between the upper motor neurons and the motor nuclei of the cranial nerves. It controls the muscles of the face, head, and neck. 
  • Rubrospinal tract: Originating in the red nucleus in the midbrain, the rubrospinal travels through the spinal cord and terminates by synapsing with the interneurons in the spinal cord. It is responsible for regulating flexor muscle tone, reflex activity, and muscle coordination. 
  • Vestibulospinal tract: The vestibulospinal tract is composed of two pathways that originate from the lateral and medial vestibular nuclei respectively in the brainstem. It plays a crucial role in controlling posture and balance and vestibulospinal reflexes. 
  • Reticulospinal tract: This pathway originates from the reticular formation in the brainstem and carries information to the peripheral body parts. The reticulospinal tract is responsible primarily for locomotion and various involuntary motor activities. It also contributes to maintaining balance.  
Additional resources

Neuroanatomy, Corticospinal Cord Tract

Cell Signaling Pathways

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