Final Answer:
Axons of the anterior corticospinal tract leave the medulla and continue down the spinal cord in the lateral funiculus.
Step-by-step explanation:
The corticospinal tract (CST) is a crucial neural pathway involved in the voluntary control of movements. It consists of two main parts: the anterior corticospinal tract and the lateral corticospinal tract. In the context of the question, we are specifically addressing the anterior corticospinal tract.
The axons of the anterior corticospinal tract originate from the motor cortex and descend through the brainstem. As these axons reach the medulla oblongata, they cross the midline in the pyramidal decussation. After decussation, the axons of the anterior corticospinal tract continue their descent down the spinal cord. Unlike the lateral corticospinal tract, which crosses at the level of the spinal cord segment where it synapses, the anterior corticospinal tract axons cross at the medulla but remain on the same side until they reach the appropriate spinal cord segment. The axons of the anterior corticospinal tract then travel in the lateral funiculus (white matter) of the spinal cord on the same side, forming synapses with lower motor neurons that control muscles involved in axial and girdle movements.
In summary, the axons of the anterior corticospinal tract leave the medulla and continue down the spinal cord in the lateral funiculus. This specific pathway is essential for the transmission of motor signals from the brain to the spinal cord, ultimately influencing voluntary movements of the trunk and proximal limb muscles.