Descending Tracts

Tract Function Spinal cord 1st order neurons 2nd order neurons Crossing Other

Anterior corticospinal Concerned with Axial Anterior From the 5th layer of motor cortex of pre-central Continue without crossing in the Both have the
tract movement gyrus, goes into the posterior limb of internal medulla same origin but
(pyramidal tract) capsule through corona radiata. (Supplied by -cross at the level of exit of spinal differentiate after
lenticulostriate artery), then descend through the cord decussation:
Lateral corticospinal middle 3/5 of the crus cerebri of the midbrain, At the lower part of pyramids Crosslateral
tract (pyramidal tract) between pontine nuclei in the pons into the (pyramidal dicussation) No-
pyramids of the medulla oblongata. crossanterior

Corticopontine tract Makes the cerebellum - From all the cortex to the pontine nucleus From pontine - -
informed of all cortical nucleus through
activities middle cerebellar
peduncle into
cerebellum
Corticobulbar tracts From the cerebral cortex to the LMN of medulla

Tactospinal tract visual-spinal reflex Subcortical origin, from the tactum (superior At the spinal cord
colleculus) into LMN of spinal cord.

Rubrospinal tract Assist the flexor muscle Lateral column From the red nucleus and descend down to the At the level of red nucleus
group LMN of spinal cord
Reticulospinal tract Facilitate the function From the pontine reticular nucleus
of Vestibulospinal tract
Facilitate the function From the Medullary reticular nucleus
of Rubrospinal tract
Vestibulospinal tract Antigravity system Anterior column From vestibular nucleus into the anterior white
(extensor group column
muscles)
Olivospinal tract