The Vestibular System - Motor Control Centers in the Brainstem: Upper Motor Neurons That Maintain Balance, Govern Posture, and Orient Gaze

6 important questions on The Vestibular System - Motor Control Centers in the Brainstem: Upper Motor Neurons That Maintain Balance, Govern Posture, and Orient Gaze

Where are the upper motor neurons located that govern maintenance of posture, balance and orienting gaze?

In nuclei located in:
- the vestibular complex
- superior colliculus
- reticular formation

There are 2 different routes from the vestibular nuclei to the spinal cord. Name them. What information do they carry?

1. Medial vestibulospinal tract: terminates bilaterally in the medial part of the ventral horn, where it regulates head posture.
2. Lateral vestibulospinal tract: terminates unilaterally and is responsible for the innervation of proximal muscles of the limbs. This tract is also responsible for the vestibulo-ocular reflex

What is the function of the reticular formation with respect to maintenance of posture?

Balans and maintenance of posture is accompanied by anticipatory or feed-forward mechanisms. The reticular formation is responsible for this feed-forward mechanism.
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What is the cortico-reticulospinal pathway?

Via this pathway postural control and balance is maintained. Upper motor neurons in the motor cortex travel via the reticular formation, where postural control is determined, to the spinal cord. It is the indirect pathway from motor cortex to spinal cord.

What is the difference between the indirect and direct pathway from motor cortex to spinal cord?

The direct pathway from the motor cortex travels directly to the spinal cord. The indirect pathway goes via the brainstem (reticular formation. The brainstem is responsible for the more proximal located muscles for maintaining balance. The direct pathway is responsible for the more precise movements.

What is the function of the superior colliculus (located in the brainstem) on controlling posture? Which pathway is involved?

Via the colliculospinal tract the superior colliculus is responsible for controlling neck musclature.

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