In central cord syndrome, which motor tracts are relatively spared?

In central cord syndrome, which motor tracts are relatively spared?

• A. Lateral corticospinal tracts to the legs
• B. Spinothalamic tracts
• C. Dorsal columns
• D. Corticobulbar tracts

Answer: (A)

Central cord syndrome arises from injury to the cervical spinal cord that hits the central fibers first. This pattern damages the fibers controlling the upper limbs more than those for the legs because of how the corticospinal tract is organized in the cord; the leg-related corticospinal fibers lie in a part of the tract that is less vulnerable to a medial (central) lesion. As a result, the motor tracts to the legs are relatively spared, while arm weakness is more pronounced. So the leg portions of the lateral corticospinal tract are the ones that remain relatively intact.

Central cord syndrome arises from injury to the cervical spinal cord that hits the central fibers first. This pattern damages the fibers controlling the upper limbs more than those for the legs because of how the corticospinal tract is organized in the cord; the leg-related corticospinal fibers lie in a part of the tract that is less vulnerable to a medial (central) lesion. As a result, the motor tracts to the legs are relatively spared, while arm weakness is more pronounced. So the leg portions of the lateral corticospinal tract are the ones that remain relatively intact.