Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Vestibulospinal tract
Introduction
Overview
Overview
The vestibulospinal tract is one of the descending spinal tracts of the ventromedial pathway. It originates from the vestibular nuclei of the medulla, which conducts information from the vestibular labyrinth in the inner ear.
Motion of fluid in the vestibular labyrinth activates hair cells that signal the vestibular nuclei via cranial nerve VIII.
Parts
Parts
The medial part of the vestibulospinal tract project bilaterally down the spinal cord and triggers the cervical spinal circuits, controlling a right position of the head and neck.
The lateral part of the vestibulospinal tract projects ipsilateral down to the lumbar region. There it helps to maintain an upright and balanced posture by stimulating extensor motor neurons in the legs.
External links
External links
- Diagram at etsu.edu
- Overview at wustl.edu
- Template:BrainstemWisconsin
Template:Neuro-stub Template:Spinal cord Template:Rhombencephalon Template:WikiDoc Sources