Control of Posture and Movement

Somatic motor activity depends on the pattern and rate of discharge of spinal motor neurons. These neurons, the final common paths are bombarded from array of pathways.

The inputs converging on the motor neurons subserve three semi distinct functions through the:

1. Pyramidal System ( corticospinal pathways)

= they bring about voluntary activity

Fig. 12-1

2. Extrapyramidal System - they adjust body posture to provide stable background for movement. Concerned with grosser movements and posture

3.Cerebellum coordinating and

Control of Axial and distal Muscles

Medial or Ventral Pathways and neurons are concerned with control of muscle of the trunk and proximal portions of the limbs

Lateral pathways are concerned with the control of muscles in the distal portions of the limbs Axial muscles are concerned with postural adjustment and gross movements Distal limb muscles are those that mediate fine, skilled movements

CORTICOSPINAL

TRACT

Anatomy and Function

The fibers that cross the midline in the medullary pyramids and from the lateral corticospinal tract make up about 80% of the fibers in the corticospinal pathway.
20% of the fibers make up the anterior or ventral, corticospinal tract

The lateral corticospinal tract is

Cortical Motor Areas

30% of the fibers making up the corticospinal tracts come from the motor cortex
30% comes from the premotor cortex 40% from the parietal lobe especially the somatic sensory area

The cortical representation of each body part is proportionate in size to the skill with which the part is used for fine, voluntary movement.

Effects of Section or Destruction of Pyramidal System

A. Role in Movement

Effects of Section or Destruction of the Lateral Corticospinal Tract loss of ability to grasp small objects between two fingers and to make isolated movements of the wrist can still use the hand in a gross

These deficits are consistent with loss of control of distal musculature of the limbs , which is concerned with fine skilled movements

Lesions of Ventral Corticospinal Tract produce axial muscle deficits that cause difficulty with balance, walking and climbing

B. Effects on Stretch Reflexes

prolonged hypotonia and flacidity rather than spasticity Damage of the lateral corticospinal tract produces the great toe and fanning of the other toes when the lateral aspect of the sole of the foot is scratch

Babinski sign: dorsiflexion of

POSTURE-REGULATING SYSTEMS ( Extrapyramidal Mechanisms)

When the neural axis is transected, the activities below the section are cut off or released from the control of higher brain centers and often appear to be accentuated

Levels of Integration

SPINAL INTEGRATION
transection of the cervical spinal cord

Spinal Shock results from

all spinal reflexes are depressed duration of the shock depends upon the degree of encephalization frogs and rats lasts for minutes dogs and cats lasts for 1-2 hours monkeys lasts for days humans minimum of 2 weeks

The recovery of the reflex excitability may be due to:

* development of denervation hypersensitivity to the mediators by the remaining spinal excitatory endings

* sprouting of collaterals from existing neurons

The first reflex response to appear as spinal shock wares off is slight contraction of the leg flexors and adductors in response to noxious stimulus

Responses of Chronic Spinal Animal

* Magnet reaction (positive supporting reaction) * Autonomic reflexes reflex contraction of full bladder and rectum * Sexual reflexes * Mass reflex - evacuation of bladder

II. MEDULLARY COMPONENTS

Hindbrain and spinal cord are isolated from the rest of the brain by transection of the brainstem at the superior border of the pons. Procedure is called

Decerebration

Decerebrate rigidity develops as soon as the brainstem is transected

It is found to be spastic due to

Facilitation is due to two factors:

increased general excitability of the motor neuron pool increase in the rate of discharge in the gamma efferent neurons

Characteristics of Decerebrate Rigidity

1. Decerebrate Posture Caricature of the normal standing position neck and limbs extended, back arched, tail elevated.

2. Tonic Labyrinthine Reflexes

no righting reflexes are present, and the animal stays in position where they are put rigidity in the limbs varies with position if the animal is placed on its back extension of all 4 limbs is maximal as the animal is turned to either side, rigidity decreases

3. Tonic Neck Reflexes

Rigidity changes with head movement

head turned to one side limbs on that side (jaw limb) become more rigidly extended, while the contralateral limb become less

flexion of the head causes flexion of the forelimbs and extension of the hindlimbs

III. MIDBRAIN COMPONENTS

Midbrain Animal produced by section of the neural axis at the superior border of the midbrain Chronic midbrain animal can rise to the standing position, walk, and right themselves

Manifestations:
A. extensor rigidity when animals lies quietly on its back B. Righting reflex to maintain the normal standing position and keep head upright 1. head righting reflex 2. neck righting reflex 3. body righting reflex C. grasp reflex

IV. CORTICAL COMPONENTS

Decortication (removal of

the cerebral cortex) produces little motor deficit. Decorticate Animal

Effects of Decortication
1. decorticate rigidity occurs only when animal is at rest 2. Placing and Hopping reactions are disrupted

Hopping movements keep the limbs in position to support the body when animal standing is pushed laterally
Placing reactions place the foot firmly on the supporting surface