Why do TAC strokes affect the ipsilateral side of the body's motor and sensory functions? Would have thought that the crossover of neurones made it the contralateral side?
Great Question! First lets divide the motor tracts, into pyramidal (voluntary control of the musculature of the body and face) and extrapyramidal tracts (involuntary control of all musculature, such as muscle tone, balance). Pyramidal tracts are Corticospinal (muscle of the whole body) and corticobulbar (muscles of the face). Tracts that decussate - Corticospinal (both anterior and lateral, albeit at different points) So if someone does sustain TAC stroke affecting one hemisphere, then they would displays symptoms of weakness in the contralateral side, as you correctly said. The Bamford classification is used to classify Strokes clinically - as such it does not excel in telling us where the location of the stroke is, but merely what type it is. That is why it specifies 'Unilateral weakness' in regards to TACS, as it could be either side Hope this helps
