How Do You Spell RUBROSPINAL TRACT?

1. The rubrospinal tract is a bundle of nerve fibers in the central nervous system that originates in the red nucleus of the midbrain and descends down the spinal cord. This tract is primarily involved in the control and coordination of voluntary movements, particularly in the upper limbs.

   The rubrospinal tract is part of the extrapyramidal system, which consists of neural pathways that are responsible for motor control and regulation outside of the pyramidal system. Unlike the pyramidal system, which directly controls voluntary movements, the rubrospinal tract indirectly influences motor function by relaying signals from the red nucleus to various motor neurons.

   The nucleus ruber, or red nucleus, sends axons through the rubrospinal tract, which then synapse with motor neurons in the spinal cord. These motor neurons then transmit signals to peripheral muscles, allowing for the execution of smooth and coordinated movements. The rubrospinal tract is particularly implicated in facilitating flexor muscle activity and inhibiting extensor muscles, thus contributing to the fine-tuning of limb movements.

   In addition to its role in voluntary motor control, the rubrospinal tract has been identified in various physiological functions, including modulating muscle tone, regulating posture, and facilitating motor recovery after injury or damage to the central nervous system.

   Overall, the rubrospinal tract plays an essential role in the regulation and coordination of movements, particularly in the upper limbs, and is a crucial component of the motor pathway within the central nervous system.

2. • See under tract.

   • A bundle of fibers running from the red nucleus, through the lateral column of the spinal cord as far as the sacral portion, ending in the anterior horns.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for RUBROSPINAL TRACT

The term "rubrospinal tract" comes from the combination of two roots: "rubro" and "spinal" with the word "tract" as a suffix.

1. Rubro: The word "rubro" is derived from the Latin word "rubrum", which means "red". This refers to the red nucleus, a distinct cluster of neurons found in the midbrain involved in motor coordination and control. The red color of this nucleus is due to its high iron content.

2. Spinal: The word "spinal" comes from the Latin word "spina", meaning "spine" or "thorn". In this context, it refers to the spinal cord, the long, cylindrical bundle of nerves that connects the brain to the rest of the body and plays a role in transmitting neural signals.