- Vestibulospinal tract
Infobox Anatomy
Name = PAGENAME
Latin = tractus vestibulospinalis
GraySubject = 185
GrayPage = 760
Caption = Vestibulospinal tract is 2c, in red at bottom center.
Caption2 = Diagram of the principal fasciculi of the spinal cord. (Vestibulospinal fasciculus labeled at bottom right.)
System =
Precursor =
MeshName =
MeshNumber =
DorlandsPre = t_15
DorlandsSuf = 12817329
The vestibulospinal tract is one of the descending spinal tracts of the ventromedial pathway. It originates from the vestibular nuclei of themedulla , which conducts information from the vestibular labyrinth in theinner ear .Motion of fluid in the vestibular labyrinth activates
hair cells that signal the vestibular nuclei viacranial nerve VIII .Parts
The medial part of the vestibulospinal tract project bilaterally down the
spinal cord and triggers the cervical spinal circuits, controlling a correct 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 extensormotor neurons in the legs.External links
* [http://faculty.etsu.edu/currie/images/neuro2.jpgDiagram] at etsu.edu
* [http://vestibular.wustl.edu/vestibular6.html Overview] at wustl.edu
*
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