RUBROSPINAL Meaning and
Definition
-
The term "rubrospinal" refers to the physiological relationship between the red nucleus (rubro-) and the spinal cord (-spinal). Specifically, it describes the axonal pathway that connects the red nucleus in the midbrain to the spinal cord, playing a crucial role in motor control and coordination.
The rubrospinal tract is a descending pathway that originates from the red nucleus, a structure located in the midbrain. Its fibers descend through the brainstem and eventually course through the spinal cord. In the spinal cord, these fibers synapse with motor neurons that innervate various skeletal muscles in the body.
The rubrospinal tract is responsible for fine motor control and coordination, particularly in relation to the upper limbs. It contributes to movements involving limb flexion and muscle tone regulation. It works in coordination with other descending motor pathways, such as the corticospinal and vestibulospinal tracts, to ensure efficient motor function.
Disruptions or damage to the rubrospinal tract can lead to motor deficits, including difficulties in fine motor control, muscle weakness, or altered muscle tone. In some cases, rehabilitating and optimizing the rubrospinal pathway may be a focus of physical therapy or other rehabilitative interventions.
In summary, "rubrospinal" pertains to the connection between the red nucleus and the spinal cord, serving a crucial role in motor control and coordination, particularly related to upper limb movements.
-
Relating to the red nucleus and the spinal cord.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for RUBROSPINAL
- eubrospinal
- dubrospinal
- fubrospinal
- tubrospinal
- 5ubrospinal
- 4ubrospinal
- rybrospinal
- rhbrospinal
- rjbrospinal
- ribrospinal
- r8brospinal
- r7brospinal
- ruvrospinal
- runrospinal
- ruhrospinal
- rugrospinal
- rubeospinal
- rubdospinal
- rubfospinal
- rubtospinal
Etymology of RUBROSPINAL
The etymology of the word "rubrospinal" can be broken down as follows:
1. "Rubro-" is derived from the Latin word "ruber", meaning "red". It refers to the red nucleus, a structure located in the midbrain responsible for motor coordination.
2. "-spinal" comes from the Latin word "spīnalis", meaning "pertaining to the spine" or "spinal". It is often used in anatomy to indicate a relationship or connection to the spinal cord.
Therefore, "rubrospinal" denotes something related to or connected with both the red nucleus and the spinal cord. In neuroscience, the term is typically used to describe the rubrospinal tract, which is a neural pathway connecting the red nucleus to the spinal cord involved in motor control.
