CORTICOSPINAL TRACT-INTRODUCTION

SUMMARY

For the control of skeletal muscles by the spinal nerves, 2 main systems of neurons are involved.

1. Direct Corticospinal Pathway: 2 groups of neurons from the motor cortex, through the internal capsule, brainstem, to the anterior horn cells. Examples are the corticnuclear & corticospinal (pyramidal) pathways. AKA pyramidal pathway, upper motor neurons.

2. Indirect corticospinal pathway: involve a whole series of neurons on their way to the anterior horn cells. AKA extrapyramidal pathway.

The anterior horn cells and motor nuclei of the brainstem are the 'final common pathway'.

Reference(s)

R.M.H McMinn (1998). Last’s anatomy: regional and applied. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. Get it on Amazon.
Drake, Richard L., et al. Gray's Anatomy for Students. Elsevier, 2023. Get it on Amazon.