The anterior corticospinal tract carries the 10-15 percent of corticospinal fibres that do not cross in the medulla. It runs down beside the anterior median fissure, and most of its fibres cross in the anterior white commissure at their target level. It mainly controls neck and trunk muscles and usually ends in the cervical and upper thoracic cord.
| Location | Anterior funiculus of the spinal cord, next to the anterior median fissure, mostly in the cervical and upper thoracic cord |
|---|---|
| Parts |
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| Connections |
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| Blood Supply | Anterior spinal artery |
Helps control posture and movements of the neck and trunk, largely on both sides.
Because the anterior corticospinal tract influences axial muscles on both sides, trunk muscles are relatively spared after a one-sided stroke. Anterior spinal artery infarction damages it along with the lateral corticospinal tracts and spinothalamic tracts.
Infarction or compression of the front two thirds of the cord causing paralysis and loss of pain and temperature below the lesion with preserved vibration sense.
Weakness of neck and trunk muscles, such as head drop, when corticospinal and lower motor neurons serving axial muscles are lost.
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