1. Neural Integration I: Sensory Pathways and the Somatic Nervous System
Chapter 15, part 2
Neural Integration I: Sensory Pathways and the Somatic Nervous System

2. SECTION 15-3 The Organization of Sensory Pathways

3. First, second, and third order neurons
First order neurons
Sensory neurons that deliver sensory information to the CNS
Second order neurons
First order neurons synapse on these in the brain or spinal cord
Third order neurons
Found in the thalamus
Second order neurons synapse on these

4. Somatic sensory pathways
Three major pathways carry sensory information
Posterior column pathway
Anterolateral pathway
Spinocerebellar pathway

5. Figure 15.6 Sensory Pathways and Ascending Tracts in the Spinal Cord

6. Posterior column pathway
Carries fine touch, pressure and proprioceptive sensations
Axons ascend within the fasciculus gracilis and fasciculus cuneatus
Relay information to the thalamus via the medial lemniscus
Decussation

7. Figure 15.8 The Posterior Column Pathway and the Spinothalamic Tracts
Figure 15.8a, b

8. Anterolateral pathway
Carries poorly localized sensations of touch, pressure, pain, and temperature
Axons decussate in the spinal cord and ascend within the anterior and lateral spinothalamic tracts
Headed toward the ventral nuclei of the thalamus

9. Figure 15.8 The Posterior Column Pathway and the Spinothalamic Tracts
Figure 15.8c

10. Spinocerebellar pathway
Includes the posterior and anterior spinocerebellar tracts
Carries sensation to the cerebellum concerning position of muscles, tendons and joints

11. Figure 15.9 The Spinocerebellar Pathway

12. Visceral sensory pathways
Carry information collected by interoceptors
Information from cranial nerves V, VII, IX and X delivered to solitary nucleus in medulla oblongata
Dorsal roots of spinal nerves T1 – L2 carry visceral sensory information from organs between the diaphragm and pelvis
Dorsal roots of spinal nerves S2 – S4 carry sensory information below this area

13. SECTION 15-4 The Somatic Nervous System

14. Somatic motor pathways
Upper motor neuron
Cell body lies in a CNS processing center
Lower motor neuron
Cell body located in a motor nucleus of the brain or spinal cord

15. Figure 15.10 Descending (Motor) Tracts in the Spinal Cord

16. The corticospinal pathway
Provides voluntary skeletal muscle control
Corticobulbar tracts terminate at cranial nerve nuclei
Corticospinal tracts synapse on motor neurons in the anterior gray horns of the spinal cord
Visible along medulla as pyramids

17. Pyramids
Most of the axons decussate to enter the descending lateral corticospinal tracts
Those that do not cross over enter the anterior corticospinal tracts
Provide rapid direct method for controlling skeletal muscle

18. Figure 15.11 The Corticospinal Pathway

19. medial and lateral pathways
The medial and lateral pathways
Issue motor commands as a result of subconscious processing
Medial pathway
Primarily controls gross movements of the trunk and proximal limbs
Includes the vestibulospinal tracts, tectospinal tracts and reticulospinal tracts

20. lateral pathways Lateral pathway
Controls muscle tone and movements of the distal muscles of the upper limbs
Rubrospinal tracts

21. The basal nuclei and cerebellum
Basal nuclei adjust motor commands issued in other processing centers
Provide background patterns of movement involved in voluntary motor movements
Cerebellum monitors proprioceptive information, visual information and vestibular sensations

22. control and responses Levels of processing and motor control
Spinal and cranial reflexes provide rapid, involuntary, preprogrammed responses
Voluntary responses
More complex
Require more time to prepare and execute

23. Figure 15.12 Centers of Somatic Motor Control

24. During development Spinal and cranial reflexes are first to appear
Complex reflexes develop as CNS matures and brain grows

25. You should now be familiar with:
The components of the afferent and efferent divisions of the nervous system, and what is meant by the somatic nervous system.
Why receptors respond to specific stimuli and how the organization of a receptor affects its sensitivity.
The major sensory pathways.
How we can distinguish among sensations that originate in different areas of the body.
The components, processes and functions of the somatic motor pathways.
The levels of information processing involved in motor control.