Neuroanatomy: dorsal spinocerebellar tract: practice question

A Anatomy question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Anatomy · Neuroanatomy: dorsal spinocerebellar tract

Sample item

Unconscious proprioception from the lower limb passes to the cerebellum through a tract that arises from cells in Clarke's nucleus. How does this tract reach the cerebellum?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Dorsal spinocerebellar tract through the inferior cerebellar peduncle

Clarke's nucleus extends from about C8 to L3 and gives rise to the ipsilateral dorsal spinocerebellar tract. It enters the cerebellum via the inferior cerebellar peduncle. The ventral tract enters through the superior peduncle and the cuneocerebellar tract serves the upper limb.

Option by option

  • A. Dorsal spinocerebellar tract through the inferior cerebellar peduncle (correct)

    Correct. Clarke's nucleus gives the dorsal tract, which enters by the inferior peduncle.

  • B. Dorsal spinocerebellar tract through the middle cerebellar peduncle

    The middle cerebellar peduncle carries only pontocerebellar fibres.

  • C. Ventral spinocerebellar tract through the superior cerebellar peduncle

    The ventral spinocerebellar tract does use the superior peduncle but arises from border cells of the intermediate grey matter.

  • D. Cuneocerebellar tract through the inferior cerebellar peduncle

    The cuneocerebellar tract carries upper limb proprioception from the accessory cuneate nucleus.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is A, Dorsal spinocerebellar tract through the inferior cerebellar peduncle. Clarke's nucleus extends from about C8 to L3 and gives rise to the ipsilateral dorsal spinocerebellar tract.

Why is "Dorsal spinocerebellar tract through the middle cerebellar peduncle" not the answer?

The middle cerebellar peduncle carries only pontocerebellar fibres.

Why is "Ventral spinocerebellar tract through the superior cerebellar peduncle" not the answer?

The ventral spinocerebellar tract does use the superior peduncle but arises from border cells of the intermediate grey matter.

Why is "Cuneocerebellar tract through the inferior cerebellar peduncle" not the answer?

The cuneocerebellar tract carries upper limb proprioception from the accessory cuneate nucleus.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neuroanatomy: dorsal spinocerebellar tract in Anatomy. It enters the cerebellum via the inferior cerebellar peduncle. The ventral tract enters through the superior peduncle and the cuneocerebellar tract serves the upper limb.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Neuroanatomy: dorsal spinocerebellar tract?

Learn every nerve by its route, its muscles and what a lesion looks like at the bedside. That one habit answers a large share of questions. Then use the flashcards and the other Anatomy questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.