Neural Pathways Department of Biology, WCU

Spinal cord Conus medullaris Filum terminale Cauda equina

Revision Gray and white matter White matter tracts ascending, descending, commissural White matter columns (funiculi) posterior lateral anterior

White matter tracts Characteristics Crossover Multi-neuron Somatotopy Paired pathways

Ascending pathways Six afferent pathways (sensory) touch, pressure pain, temperature muscle tension

Descending pathways Four efferent pathways (motor) Pyramidal tracts (direct) voluntary (skilled) movement Others (indirect) head and eye distal muscle tone balance unskilled muscle movement

Signal movement Fine movement

Signal movement Muscle tone

Cerebrum Initiates muscle contraction Surface anatomy gyrus, sulcus longitudinal fissure transverse fissure lateral sulcus

Brain Anatomy Hemispheres Central sulcus, precentral gyrus frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, insula Central sulcus, precentral gyrus

Brain Anatomy Corpus callosum

Motor functions Primary motor cortex Precentral gyrus Pyramidal cells Pyramidal tracts

Limbic system Location Function medial cerebrum diencephalon emotions links to memory associated with olfaction