What is the function of dorsal spinocerebellar tracts?

The dorsal spinocerebellar tract conveys low range proprioceptive stimuli from receptors located in muscles, tendons, and joints of the hindlimb. Proprioceptive information entering the spinal cord rostral to C8 is carried by nerve fibers ascending in the fasciculus cuneatus.

What information does the dorsal spinocerebellar tract carry?

Dorsal spinocerebellar tract It carries proprioceptive information from muscle spindles and Golgi tendon organs of ipsilateral part of trunk and lower limb. Proprioceptive information is taken to the spinal cord via central processes of dorsal root ganglia (first order neurons).

What is the spinocerebellar pathway?

The Anterior Spinocerebellar Pathway – Carries both unconscious proprioceptive and cutaneous information from the lower body (L5 to T12) and enters the cerebellum via the superior cerebellar peduncle.

Where does the dorsal spinocerebellar tract Decussate?

The impulse is then sent to the central process, of course, and proceeds to the dorsal root ganglion, the site of the synapse onto the second order neuron. The tract moves on to decussate through anterior white commissure to then ascend through the spinal cord to inferior olivary nucleus, where it will synapse again.

Where does information from the spinocerebellar tract go?

They transmit information from the muscles to the cerebellum. Within the spinocerebellar tracts, there are four individual pathways: Posterior spinocerebellar tract – Carries proprioceptive information from the lower limbs to the ipsilateral cerebellum.

Is the ventral spinocerebellar tract part of the somatosensory system?

It is a part of the somatosensory system and runs in parallel with the dorsal spinocerebellar tract. Structures below L3, down to coccygeal spinal level one, are innervated by the ventral spinocerebellar tract.

How are spinocerebellar lesions related to muscle co-ordination?

Lesions of the spinocerebellar tracts present with an ipsilateral loss of muscle co-ordination. However, the spinocerebellar pathways are unlikely to be damaged in isolation – there is likely to be additional injury to the descending motor tracts. This will cause muscle weakness or paralysis, and usually masks the loss of muscle co-ordination.

Where does the cuneocerebellar tract carry proprioceptive information?

Cuneocerebellar tract – Carries proprioceptive information from the upper limbs to the ipsilateral cerebellum. Anterior spinocerebellar tract – Carries proprioceptive information from the lower limbs. The fibres decussate twice – and so terminate in the ipsilateral cerebellum.