Ascending and

Descending Tracts
Aayushi Jain
MPT II
 Contents
Introduction
Objective
Gray matter
White matter
Tracts in spinal cord
Ascending tracts and its types
Descending tracts and its types
Clinical relevance
 Objective
At the end of the seminar , you should know
 Tracts of spinal cord
Anterior and posterior column
Origin
Distribution
Course
Crossing
Termination
Applied
 Spinal cord
 Spinal cord is a cylindrical mass of neural tissue extending from the caudal
aspect of medulla oblongata of brainstem to the level of first lumbar
vertebra(L1).
 It is made up of 31segments & 31 pairs of spinal nerve roots.
 Each nerve root is formed by an ventral root and a dorsal root.
 The neural substance of spinal cord is divided into inner gray matter and
outer white matter.
 Gray Matter
 It is collection of nerve cell bodies, dendrites
& part of axon.
Its centrally located &its shaped resembles a
butterfly.
The shape & size of the gray matter varies
according to spinal cord level.
At lower levels, the ratio between gray matter
& white matter is greater than in higher levels,
mainly because lower level contain less
ascending & descending nerve fibers.
The gray matter may be subdivided into the
following components:
Anterior horn
Lateral horn
Posterior horn
White Matter of Spinal Cord

It is the collection of myelinated nerve fibers that travel to and from the brain.
The anterior median fissure and the posterior median septum divide the entire mass of
white matter into two lateral halves.
Each half of white matter is divided by the fibers of anterior and posterior nerve roots
into three column, they are:
1. The anterior white column
2. The lateral white column
3. The posterior white column
i. Fasciculus gracilis
ii. Fasciculus cuneatus
 TRACTS
A collection of nerve cell fibers within the
central nervous system, that are
segregated and sorted into nerve bundles
or tracts in the white matter
They have the same origin, termination
and carry the same function.
They serve to join the brain to the spinal
cord.
They are classified into:
1 . Ascending tract
2. Descending tract
 Ascending Tracts

Carries the sensory impulses from receptors to CNS therefore they are also called
sensory or afferent tracts.
The pathway of each sensation is formed by two or three group of neuron ,which
are first, second and third order neuron.
First order neuron : enters the spinal cord through the dorsal root of a spinal
nerve & its cell body lies in the dorsal root ganglion. The main fibers remain on
ipsilateral side of the cord & terminate by synapse with the second order neuron
either in the spinal gray matter or in the medulla oblongata of the brain stem.
Second order neuron: has its cell bodies
in the cord or medulla oblongata. Its axon
decussates to opposite side of CNS and
ascend to the thalamus, where it
terminate upon the third neuron.

Third order neuron : has its cell bodies

in the thalamus. Its axon pass to the
somatosensory cortex of the parietal lobe
of the cerebral hemisphere.
 Anterior spinothalamic Tract

Is formed by the fibers of second order neuron of the pathway for
crude touch
Receptors: Free nerve ending
Situation: situated in anterior white column
Origin: The fibers arise from neuron of chief sensory nucleus of
posterior gray horn
Course : these fibers cross obliquely in the anterior white commissure and enter the
anterior white column of opposite side. The fibers ascend through other segments of spinal
cord and brainstem.
Termination: terminate in the ventral posterolateral nucleus of thalamus from here , 3rd
order neuron fibers relay to sensory cortex
 Functions: carries the sensory impulses of crude touch
Effect of lesion:
B/L - loss of crude touch , itching, tickling on both side.
U/L- loss of crude touch sensation in opposite side below the level the lesion
Spinothalamic tracts and
pathways for crude touch, pain
and temperature sensations.
Anterior spinothalamic tract
(red) carries crude touch
sensation. Lateral spinothalamic
tract (blue) carries pain and
temperature sensations
 The lateral spinothalamic tract
Situation: situated in the lateral column towards medial side i.e. near the gray
matter.
Receptors: free nerve ending
Origin: The fibers arise from the two source i.e. marginal nucleus and substantia
gelatinosa
Course : tract has crossed fiber. Axon from marginal nucleus & substantia gelatinosa cross
to opposite side and reach the lateral white column of same segments which passes
through medulla , pons and midbrain and reach thalamus along with anterospinothalamic
tract.
Termination: terminate in the ventral posterolateral nucleus of thalamus. From here , 3RD
order neuron fibers relay to the sensory cortex.
 Function: carries impulses of pain & thermal sensation.
Effect of lesion:
B/L- total loss of pain & temperature on both sides
U/L – loss of pain (Analgesia) & temperature(thermoanesthesia) in opposite side below the
level of lesion.
 The Dorsal Column-Medial Lemniscal
Pathway
Also know as posterior column-medial lemniscal pathway.
Divided into 2 tracts: Fasciculus gracilis
: Fasciculus cuneatus
These tract are formed by the fibers from posterior root ganglia and are
constituted by the fibers of first order neuron of sensory pathway.
Receptors: Meissner corpuscle, Pacinian corpuscle, muscle spindle, tendon organ.
Situation: posterior white column of spinal cord .In cervical & upper thoracic
segments of spinal cord, the posterior white column is divided by posterior
intermediated septum into medial fasciculus gracilis & lateral fasciculus cuneatus.
 Origin: The first-order neuron arise from the
respective receptor and enter the spinal cord
through posterior root and their cell body resides in
dorsal root ganglia.
 Course: They ascend on the same side of the spinal
cord to relay in nucleus gracilis and cuneatus
present in the medulla.
The fasciculus gracilis contains fibers from the lower
parts of the body whereas fasciculus cuneatus
contains fibers from upper part of the body.
 Termination: These two tracts terminate in medulla
oblongata. The fibers of fasciculus gracilis terminate
in the nucleus gracilis & the fibers of fasciculus
cuneatus terminate in the nucleus cuneatus
-The cells of these medullary nuclei form the second order neurons.
-The axons of second order neuron forms internal arcuate fibers ,this fibers from both sides
cross midline forming sensory decussation & ascend through pons and midbrain as medial
lemniscus.
-The fibers of medial lemniscus terminate in ventral posterolateral nucleus of thalamus and
from here the third order neuron relay to cerebral cortex.
Function: fine tactile sensation
tactile localization
tactile discrimination
sensation of vibration
stereognosis
Effect of lesion
1.Loss of fine tactile sensation
2.Loss of tactile localization
3.Loss of two point discrimation
 ASCENDING TRACTS OF SPINAL CORD IN LATERAL WHITE COLUMN
Situation Tract Origin Course Termination Function
Lateral white 1. Ventral Marginal nucleus Crossed fibers Anterior lobe of Subconscious
column spinocerebellar cerebellum kinesthetic
sensation

2. Dorsal Clarke`s nucleus Uncrossed fiber Anterior lobe of Subconscious

Spinocerebellar cerebellum kinesthetic
sensation

3. Spinotectal Chief sensory Crossed fibers Superior Spinovisual reflex

nucleus colliculus
4. Fasiculus Posterior nerve root Uncrossed fibers Substantia Pain and
dorsolateralis ganglion gelatinosa temperature
sensation

5.spinoreticular Intermediolateral Crossed and Reticular Consciousness

nucleus uncrossed fiber formation of and awareness
brainstem

6. Spinoolivary Nonspecific Uncrossed fiber Olivary nucleus Proprioception

7.spinovestibular Nonspecific Crossed and Lateral vestibular Proprioception
uncrossed fiber nucleus
 Descending Tracts
 Are the pathway by which the motor signals are sent from the brain to lower motor
neuron.
The lower motor neurons are directly innervate muscles to produce the movement
Functionally divided into:
-Pyramidal tracts: originate in the cerebral cortex , carrying motor fibers to spinal cord
and brain stem. They are responsible for the voluntary control of the muscle of face & body.
 - Extrapyramidal tracts: originate in the brain stem ,carrying motor fibers to spinal cord .
They are responsible for the involuntary & automatic control of all musculature , such as
muscle tone, balance, posture & locomotion.
There is no synapse within the descending pathways.
 Pyramidal Tracts
 Also knows as corticospinal tract.
 Origin: precentral gyrus Area 6,4 and
somatosensory area (3,1&2)
 Course: The fibers descend as the corona
radiata from cerebral cortex which then passes
through genu and anterior 2/3rd of posterior
part of internal capsule. After that fibers pass
through the crus cerebri of midbrain to pons
and it get scattered.
 After leaving pons,the fibers again become
compact in medulla assuming a pyramidal
shape and then majority of fibers cross to
opposite side forming crossed pyramidal tract
or lateral corticospinal tract.
 Remaining fibers form uncrossed pyramidal tract also termed anterior
corticospinal tract and these fibers cross to the opposite side before they end on
anterior horn cell of spinal cord.
Termination: Motor neuron of anterior gray horn-directly or by interneurons.
Function control voluntary movements
forms upper motor neuron
Effect of lesion
Loss of voluntary movements
Spasticity
Superficial reflexes are lost,deep reflexes are exaggerated and Babinski sign
positive.
Effect of lesion at different levels:
1.Cerebral cortex: lesion of pyramidal tract in cerebral cortex causes
hypertonia, spasticity and contralateral monoplegia or contralateral hemiplegia
2.Internal capsule: contralateral hemiplegia
3.Brainstem: contralateral hemiparesis
4.Spinal cord: U/L lesion of lateral corticospinal fibers at upper cervical
segment causes ipsilateral hemiplegia and B/L lesion causes quadriplegia along
with respiratory muscles paralysis.
:B/L lesion of these fibers in thoracic and lumbar segments
results in paraplegia without paralysis of respiratory muscles.
 EXTRA PYRAMIDAL TRACTS
Tracts Situation Origin Course Termination Function
1. Medial Anterior white -Vestibular Uncrossed fibers Anterior motor 1.Coordination of reflex
longitudinal column nucleus Extend upto neurons of ocular movement
-Reticular upper cervical spinal cord 2.Integration of movement of
formation - segments eyes & neck
superior
colliculus &
cell of cajal

2.Anterior Anterior white Medial Uncrossed fibers Anterior motor 1.Maintenace of muscle tone
vestibulospinal column vestibular Extend upto neurons of & posture
Nucleus upper thoracic spinal cord 2.Maintenace of position of
segments head & body during
acceleration

3. Lateral Lateral white Lateral

vestibulospinal column vestibular Mostly uncrossed
nucleus extend to all
segements
4. Reticulospinal Lateral Reticular Extend upto Gamma 1.Coordination of voluntary
white formation of thoracic motor neuron reflex movement
fasciculus pons & segment 2.Control of muscle tone
medulla 3. Control of respiration &
diameter of blood vessel

5. Tectospinal Anterior Superior Crossed Anterior Control of movement of head in

white colliculus of fiber motor neuron response to visual & auditory
impulses
column mid brain Extent upto
lower
cervical
segement
6.Rubrospinal Lateral Red nucleus Uncrossed Anterior Facillitatory influence on flexor
white in mid brain fiber extend motor neuron muscle tone
column upto
thoracic
segment
7.Olivospinal Lateral Inferior olivary Mostly Anterior Control of movement due to
white nucleus crossed motor neuron proprioception
column Extent-not
clear
 Clinical Relevance
Brown-sequard syndrome: Occurs from hemisection of spinal cord and its typically caused
by penetration wounds i.e. gunshot or stab.
Ipsilateral side of lesion: Paralysis and sensory loss
Ipsilateral loss of proprioception, light touch,and vibratory sense (Dorsal column )and
paralysis( lateral corticospinal tract).
Damage to spinothalamic tract(contralateral lesion): loss of sense of pain and temperature.

Anterior cord syndrome: Results from flexion injuries of cervical region characterized by
loss of motor function (corticospinal tract damage ) and loss of sense of pain and
temperature(spinothalamic tract) below the level of lesion
Central cord syndrome: Results from hyperextension injuries to the
cervical region characterized by more motor impairment of upper than
of the lower extremity, bladder dysfunction, usually urinary retention
and varying degree of sensory loss below the level of the lesion

Syringomyelia: Condition characterized by the enlargement of central

canal with destruction of gray matter around the canal.

Tabes Dorsalis: Disease is characterized by progressive degeneration of

the posterior nerve root .Both sensory and motor function are affected.

Multiple sclerosis: Chronic & progressive inflammatory disease

characterized by demyelination in brain & spinal cord.
 Reference
K Sembulingam. Nervous System . In: Essential of medical physiology .
Fifth Edition . New Delhi : Jaypee Brothers ; 2011. p. 770–92.
 A.K Jain. The Nervous System . In: Textbook of physiology . Sixth
Edition . New Delhi : Avichal Publishing House ; 2016. p. 907–16.
D. Venkatesh, H.H Sudhakar. Central nervous system. In: Textbook of
Physiology. India: Wolters Kluwer; 2016. p. 408–420.
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