Corticospinal
Corticospinal
Corticospinal (pronunciation: kor-ti-ko-SPY-nal) is a term used in neuroscience to describe one of the main pathways by which the brain communicates with the rest of the body. The term is derived from the Latin words cortex meaning "bark" or "rind", and spinalis meaning "of the spine".
The corticospinal tract is a collection of axons that travel between the cerebral cortex and the spinal cord. It plays a key role in carrying motor commands from the brain to the skeletal muscles, and is particularly important for the control of precise, voluntary movements.
Anatomy
The corticospinal tract originates in the motor cortex of the brain, descends through the brainstem, and travels down the length of the spinal cord. It is divided into two main parts: the lateral corticospinal tract and the anterior corticospinal tract.
The lateral corticospinal tract controls movements of the limbs and digits, while the anterior corticospinal tract controls movements of the trunk and proximal limbs.
Function
The corticospinal tract is responsible for the voluntary control of the muscles of the body. It carries signals from the motor cortex to the spinal cord, which then sends these signals to the appropriate muscles. This allows for precise, coordinated movements.
Clinical significance
Damage to the corticospinal tract can result in a variety of motor deficits, including paralysis, spasticity, and muscle weakness. Conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injury can all affect the corticospinal tract.
See also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Corticospinal
- Wikipedia's article - Corticospinal
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