FIGURE 72

SPINAL CORD TRACTS - C8 LEVEL

Dorsolateral Fasciculus
fasciculus Fasciculus
Lateral gracilis
cuneatus
cortico-spinal
tract Posterior
spino-cerebellar
Rubro-spinal tract
tract

Medullary
(lateral)
reticulo-spinal Anterior
tract spino-cerebellar
tract
Lateral Lateral
Vestibulo-spinal Medial
spino-thalamic
tract longitudinal
tract
Pontine fasciculus Anterior
(medial) Anterior spino-thalamic
reticulo-spinal cortico-spinal tract
tract tract
The white matter of the spinal cord contains a number of tracts, both ascending (sensory)
and descending (motor). This diagram shows only the descending tracts on the left side,
and only the ascending tracts on the right side. It is essential to understand the
information carried in each of these pathways.

The cuneate and gracile fascicles are collectively called the dorsal columns. The anterior
and lateral spino-thalamic tracts are grouped together as the anterolateral system. The
lateral cortico-spinal tract is the major continuation of the fibers of the pyramids. The MLF
continues into the cervical spinal cord.

COLOR KEY 1a 2a 73