National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam

Inability to heel walk during a neurological examination suggests damage to which spinal tract?

1. Corticospinal

2. Reticulospinal

3. Rubrospinal

4. Tectospinal

The correct answer is: Corticospinal

The inability to heel walk during a neurological examination primarily indicates damage to the corticospinal tract. This tract is crucial for voluntary motor control and is responsible for the movement of the limbs, particularly the fine motor skills involved in walking on the heels. When there is impairment in this tract, which descends from the cerebral cortex to the spinal cord, individuals may struggle with coordinating the movements necessary for heel walking, as well as exhibiting weakness or loss of motor control in the lower extremities. The corticospinal tract contains upper motor neurons that are vital for voluntary movements, and its dysfunction can manifest as weakness or upper motor neuron signs, such as spasticity, hyperreflexia, and clonus. These effects can significantly impact gait and balance, making heel walking particularly challenging. In contrast, the other spinal tracts mentioned have distinct roles: the reticulospinal tract is involved in regulating posture and autonomic functions, the rubrospinal tract primarily influences upper limb flexor muscles, and the tectospinal tract is associated with reflexive head movements in response to visual stimuli. Damage to these areas might affect motor functions but would not specifically impair the ability to perform heel walks as clearly as damage to the corticospinal tract would.