Lab 6 (ƒ9) Descending Pathways to the Spinal Cord
Tectospinal Tract
The functional significance of the tectospinal tract is unknown. It is presumed to mediate reflex postural movements in response to visual and, probably, auditory stimuli. It is relatively small in man. The tectospinal tract fibers arise from deep layers of the superior colliculus of the midbrain, decussate and descend anterior to the medial longitudinal fasciculus into the anterior funiculus of the spinal cord. The majority of tectospinal fibers terminate in the upper four cervical segments.
