Vestibulospinal Tract

The vestibulospinal tract is a descending motor pathway involved in the regulation of posture, balance, and extensor muscle tone. It originates in the vestibular nuclei of the brainstem and projects ipsilaterally to the spinal cord.

- Lateral and medial vestibular nuclei in the pons and medulla (especially Deiters’ nucleus).

- Lateral vestibulospinal tract (LVST) descends uncrossed through the ventral funiculus of the spinal cord. - Medial vestibulospinal tract (MVST) descends bilaterally, primarily within the medial longitudinal fasciculus (MLF), but terminates mostly in cervical spinal cord.

- Synapses mainly in laminae VII and VIII of the spinal cord. - Influences alpha and gamma motor neurons that innervate axial and proximal limb extensor muscles.

- Facilitates extensor tone, particularly for anti-gravity muscles. - Critical in maintaining balance and upright posture. - Coordinates head and eye movements in conjunction with visual and proprioceptive input.

- Lesions result in loss of postural reflexes and balance impairment. - May be overactive in decerebrate rigidity. - Involved in vestibular rehabilitation after stroke or labyrinthine injury.

• Lateral Corticospinal Tract
• Reticulospinal Tract
• Medial Longitudinal Fasciculus