Motor tract is an important part of the nervous system responsible for providing the body with movement. It is responsible for the control of skeletal muscles and the coordination of movements. In this article, we discuss the anatomy and physiology of the motor tract, its role in movement control and coordination, and its clinical implications.
Anatomy and Physiology of the Motor Tract
The motor tract is a collection of nerve fibers and tracts that originate from the brain and spinal cord and travel to the various skeletal muscles in the body. These nerve fibers are responsible for the control of movement and coordination of muscles. The motor tract is composed of the corticospinal tract, the dorsal column-medial lemniscus pathway, the vestibular nuclei, and the spinal segmental pathways.
The corticospinal tract is the major motor tract in the brain. It is responsible for the control of fine motor movements such as writing and typing. It is composed of nerve fibers that originate in the primary motor cortex and descend through the brain stem and spinal cord to the muscles.
The dorsal column-medial lemniscus pathway is responsible for the control of gross motor movements such as walking and running. It is composed of nerve fibers that originate in the posterior column nuclei and ascend through the brain stem and spinal cord to the muscles.
The vestibular nuclei is responsible for the control of balance and coordination. It is composed of nerve fibers that originate in the vestibular nuclei in the brain stem and travel to the various skeletal muscles in the body.
The spinal segmental pathways are responsible for the control of the muscles of the trunk and limbs. It is composed of nerve fibers that originate in the spinal cord and descend to the various muscles of the body.
Role in Movement Control and Coordination
The motor tract is responsible for the control of movement and coordination of muscles. The corticospinal tract is responsible for the control of fine motor movements such as writing and typing. The dorsal column-medial lemniscus pathway is responsible for the control of gross motor movements such as walking and running. The vestibular nuclei is responsible for the control of balance and coordination. The spinal segmental pathways are responsible for the control of the muscles of the trunk and limbs.
Clinical Implications
Damage to the motor tract can have serious effects. Damage to the corticospinal tract can cause paralysis of the arms and legs. Damage to the dorsal column-medial lemniscus pathway can cause difficulty with balance and coordination. Damage to the vestibular nuclei can cause vertigo and dizziness. Damage to the spinal segmental pathways can cause weakness in the arms and legs.
Conclusion
The motor tract is an important part of the nervous system responsible for providing the body with movement. It is composed of the corticospinal tract, the dorsal column-medial lemniscus pathway, the vestibular nuclei, and the spinal segmental pathways. It is responsible for the control of movement and coordination of muscles. Damage to the motor tract can have serious effects.
References
Fitzgerald, M. (2016). Neuroanatomy: An Illustrated Colour Text (4th ed.). Elsevier.
Miller, J. (2014). Neuroanatomy: An Atlas of Structures, Sections, and Systems (9th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
O’Rahilly, R., & Müller, F. (2012). Human Embryology and Teratology (3rd ed.). John Wiley & Sons.