TRACTUS TECTOSPINALIS Meaning and
Definition
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The term "tractus tectospinalis" refers to a neural pathway in the central nervous system that originates in the superior colliculus, a structure located in the midbrain. This pathway is responsible for transmitting motor signals involved in the coordination of head and eye movements.
The tractus tectospinalis is part of the extrapyramidal system, which refers to neural pathways that are independent of the pyramidal system. Unlike the pyramidal system, which is primarily responsible for voluntary motor control of limbs, the extrapyramidal system modulates involuntary and automatic movements, such as those involved in coordination and posture.
The pathway begins with the superior colliculus, where visual input from the retinas is received and processed. It then descends through the brainstem, predominantly on the contralateral side, and synapses with lower motor neurons in the cervical spinal cord. From there, the lower motor neurons transmit signals to the muscles involved in head and eye movements.
The tractus tectospinalis plays a crucial role in the coordination of visual and motor behaviors, particularly in response to visual stimuli. For example, when we follow a moving object with our eyes, the tractus tectospinalis helps to synchronize the movement of our eye muscles with the visual input received by the superior colliculus.
Overall, the tractus tectospinalis is an essential component of the central nervous system involved in mediating head and eye movements and contributing to overall motor coordination.
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Sulcomarginal tract, a thin bundle of white fibers arising in the quadrigeminal bodies on one side, decussating, and passing down through the oblongata into the spinal cord, the exact distribution of the fibers not being known.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for TRACTUS TECTOSPINALIS
- rractus tectospinalis
- fractus tectospinalis
- gractus tectospinalis
- yractus tectospinalis
- 6ractus tectospinalis
- 5ractus tectospinalis
- teactus tectospinalis
- tdactus tectospinalis
- tfactus tectospinalis
- ttactus tectospinalis
- t5actus tectospinalis
- t4actus tectospinalis
- trzctus tectospinalis
- trsctus tectospinalis
- trwctus tectospinalis
- trqctus tectospinalis
- traxtus tectospinalis
- travtus tectospinalis
- traftus tectospinalis
- tradtus tectospinalis
Etymology of TRACTUS TECTOSPINALIS
The etymology of "tractus tectospinalis" can be broken down as follows:
1. Tractus: This Latin word means "tract" or "pathway". It is derived from the verb "trahere", which means "to draw" or "to drag". In the context of neuroanatomy, "tractus" refers to a bundle of nerve fibers that connect different parts of the central nervous system.
2. Tectospinalis: This word is a combination of two Latin terms: "tectum" and "spinalis".
- Tectum: In Latin, "tectum" means "roof" or "covering". In neuroanatomy, "tectum" specifically refers to the roof of the midbrain, known as the "tectal plate" or "quadrigeminal plate". It plays a crucial role in visual and auditory processing.
