Corticospinal tract

Organization and role

Many fibers cross in the medulla before descending in the cord. The effects of injury therefore depend on its position relative to that crossing and its level.

Clinical relevance and investigation

Damage may produce weakness, hyperreflexia and a Babinski sign. These findings suggest central nervous system involvement but do not by themselves identify its cause.

Points to consider

Location matters as well as extent. Motor and sensory pathways do not all follow the same course or cross at the same level. Strength, reflexes and different sensory modalities are examined for a coherent pattern of findings.

Role of TAGMED care

At TAGMED, assessment aims to understand symptoms, history and functional limitations. Manual care and osteopathy, motorized spinal decompression, laser and shockwave have different indications. The term described in this entry is not enough to select any of these modalities. Their relevance, limitations and possible contraindications should be discussed in relation to diagnosis and individual goals.

Related concepts and distinctions

These concepts belong to the same field, but are not synonyms.

• Central canal of the spinal cord — Small longitudinal channel in the center of the spinal cord, lined by ependymal cells and often very narrow or obliterated in adults.
• Spinothalamic tract — Ascending sensory pathway of the anterolateral system involved in transmitting pain, temperature and other somatosensory information.
• Ventral horn of the spinal cord — Anterior region of spinal gray matter containing motor neuron cell bodies that contribute to the control of skeletal muscles.

Medical references

1. OpenStax, Rice University. Anatomy and Physiology 2e — The Central Nervous System.
2. Radiological Society of North America. RadLex Radiology Lexicon — terminology resource.

References document the topic; their inclusion does not imply endorsement of TAGMED services by those organizations.