Tectospinal tract

Tectospinal tract
Diagram showing possible connection of long descending fibers from higher centers with the motor cells of the ventral column through association fibers. ("Tectospinal fasciculus" labeled at center right.)
Diagram of the principal fasciculi of the spinal cord. ("Tectospinal fasciculus" labeled at center right, in red.)
Details
Identifiers
Latin	tractus tectospinalis
MeSH	D065844
NeuroLex ID	birnlex_759
TA98	A14.1.02.211 A14.1.04.112
TA2	6119
FMA	72620
Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata]

In humans, the tectospinal tract (or colliculospinal tract) is a decussating extrapyramidal tract that coordinates head/neck and eye movements.^[1]: 233 It arises from the superior colliculus of the mesencephalic (midbrain) tectum, and projects to the cervical and upper thoracic spinal cord levels.^[1]: 113 It mediates reflex turning of the head and upper trunk in the direction of startling sensory stimuli (visual, auditory, or skin).^[1]: 109

It arises from the deep layers of the superior colliculus. It decussates within the posterior part of mesencephalic tegmentum^[1]: 233 at the level of the red nucleus.^[1]: 241 It descends through the medulla oblongata near the midline^[1]: 100 within the medial longitudinal fasciculus.^[1]: 241 In the spinal cord, it descends in the anterior funiculus.^[1]: 233 It terminates by synapsing with interneurons^[1]: 241 of the intermediate zone and anterior grey column.^[1]: 233

• Spinotectal tract
• Upper motor neuron

• Diagram at etsu.edu
• Overview and diagram at uchicago.edu
• hier-783 at NeuroNames