1. Neural Pathways
Department of Biology, WCU

2. Spinal cord
Conus medullaris
Filum terminale
Cauda equina

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

4. White matter tracts Characteristics Crossover Multi-neuron Somatotopy
Paired pathways

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

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

7. Signal movement
Fine movement

8. Signal movement
Muscle tone

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

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

11. Brain Anatomy
Corpus callosum

12. Motor functions Primary motor cortex Precentral gyrus Pyramidal cells
Pyramidal tracts

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