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Related Concept Videos

Direct Motor Pathways01:11

Direct Motor Pathways

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The direct motor pathways, also known as the pyramidal tracts, are a group of neural pathways that originate in the brain and descend through the spinal cord. They control the voluntary movement of the body. There are two major direct motor pathways: the corticospinal and the corticobulbar tracts.
The corticospinal tract is responsible for the voluntary movement of the limbs and trunk. It originates in the cerebral cortex of the brain and descends through the cerebrum's internal capsule and...
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Indirect Motor Pathways01:22

Indirect Motor Pathways

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The indirect motor or extrapyramidal pathways originate in the brainstem, the lower portion of the brain that connects it to the spinal cord. They consist of several distinct tracts, each with specialized functions. The four main tracts of the indirect motor pathways are the vestibulospinal tract, the reticulospinal tract, the tectospinal tract, and the rubrospinal tract.
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Spinal Cord: Cross-sectional Anatomy01:16

Spinal Cord: Cross-sectional Anatomy

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The cross-sectional anatomy of the spinal cord offers a detailed view of its complex structure and function within the central nervous system. At the core of the spinal cord lies the gray matter, characterized by its butterfly or "H"-shaped appearance in cross-section. This central region is enveloped by white matter, with the overall structure divided into symmetrical halves by the dorsal median sulcus and the ventral median fissure.
Gray Matter and its Components
Central to the gray...
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Brainstem01:19

Brainstem

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The brainstem, located inferior to the brain and superior to the spinal cord, serves as a bridge between the cerebrum and the spinal cord. It plays a vital role in relaying information and controlling critical life functions. It comprises three primary regions: the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata.
The Midbrain
The midbrain is located beneath the diencephalon and connects the cerebrum with the lower parts of the brain. The cerebral peduncles are prominent midbrain structures that house the...
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Hierarchy of Motor Control01:18

Hierarchy of Motor Control

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The hierarchy of motor control refers to the different levels of organization and processing involved in controlling movement in the body. These levels range from higher cortical areas involved in planning and decision-making to lower spinal cord reflexes that respond automatically to external stimuli.
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Major Somatic Sensory Pathways01:28

Major Somatic Sensory Pathways

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Sensory impulses related to touch, pressure, vibration, and proprioception from various body parts, such as the limbs, trunk, neck, and posterior head, travel to the cerebral cortex through the posterior column-medial lemniscus pathway. The pathway’s name derives from the two white-matter tracts that convey the impulses: the spinal cord's posterior column and the brainstem's medial lemniscus. First-order sensory neurons extend their axons into the spinal cord, forming the...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2025

Unilateral Pyramidotomy of the Corticospinal Tract in Rats for Assessment of Neuroplasticity-inducing Therapies
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Corticospinal Tract Development, Evolution, and Skilled Movements.

Emmanuel Roze1,2, Caroline Dubacq1, Quentin Welniarz1,2

  • 1Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Paris Brain Institute Institut du Cerveau, Paris, France.

Movement Disorders : Official Journal of the Movement Disorder Society
|April 25, 2025
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The evolution of the corticospinal tract (CST) impacts skilled movement in mammals. Studying CST development across species reveals new insights into manual dexterity and its evolutionary trajectory.

Keywords:
axon guidancecortico‐motoneuronal connectionmammalian evolutionmotor systemvoluntary movement

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • The corticospinal tract (CST) is crucial for voluntary motor control in mammals.
  • Evolutionary changes in CST position and targets correlate with motor skill development.
  • Understanding CST evolution provides insights into the basis of skilled movements.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the developmental steps of the CST projection pattern from an evolutionary perspective.
  • To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying CST development and skilled movement acquisition.
  • To offer a new viewpoint on manual dexterity by comparing CST evolution across species.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of CST development across diverse mammalian species.
  • Review of recent studies on molecular mechanisms governing CST projection.
  • Examination of the relationship between CST evolution and the development of skilled hand movements.

Main Results:

  • Identified key evolutionary divergences in CST position and spinal cord targets.
  • Highlighted molecular mechanisms influencing CST projection patterns.
  • Demonstrated a complex relationship between CST evolution and manual dexterity progression.

Conclusions:

  • CST evolution is intricately linked to the development of skilled voluntary movements.
  • Comparative evolutionary studies offer novel perspectives on manual dexterity.
  • The evolution of the CST adds complexity to the understanding of skilled hand movement improvement from rodents to primates.