Tectospinal Tract

Authors

Affiliations

Nathaniel Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

The Tectospinal tract is part of the medial motor systems

Somatotopic organization of medial and lateral motor system Projections to Anterior Horn Cells¹

Pathway

Origin {#origin}/input

Superior Colliculus

Pathway

The tectospinal tract exits the superior colliculus and its tectospinal fibers travel superiorly through the tectum of the brainstem

Decussation: Dorsal tegmentum of the midbrain

The tectospinal tract terminates at the cerviccal cord

Somatotopic organization of medial and lateral motor system Projections to Anterior Horn Cells¹

Output/termination

The tectospinal tract terminates in the cervical cord

Function

Coordination of head and eye movements

Caution

The function of the tectospinal tract is uncertain in humans¹

References

1.

Blumenfeld H. Neuroanatomy Through Clinical Cases. 3rd ed. Oxford university press; 2022.