Corticospinal tract
Corticospinal tract
The Corticospinal tract (pronunciation: kor-ti-ko-SPY-nal trakt) is a part of the nervous system that plays a key role in carrying messages between the brain and the rest of the body.
Etymology
The term "Corticospinal" is derived from two words: "Cortex", referring to the outer layer of the brain, and "Spinal", relating to the spinal cord.
Function
The Corticospinal tract is responsible for the transmission of motor commands from the brain to the spinal cord, which then sends these commands to the muscles. This pathway is crucial for voluntary movement control.
Anatomy
The Corticospinal tract begins in the cerebral cortex, specifically in the precentral gyrus, and travels down through the brainstem before reaching the spinal cord. It is divided into two tracts: the anterior corticospinal tract and the lateral corticospinal tract.
Clinical significance
Damage to the Corticospinal tract can result in a variety of motor disorders, including spastic paralysis and Babinski sign.
Related terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Corticospinal tract
- Wikipedia's article - Corticospinal tract
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