Lecture 20: Brainstem-spinal systems

Question 1

Medial vestibulospinal tract

Answer 1

• cell bodies in medial and inferior vestibular nuclei
• descends bilaterally in Medial Longitudinal Fasciculus(MLF)
• extends to upper thoracic levels
• regulates activity in LMNs to axial musculature
• regulates head position by reflex activation of extensor muscles of neck in response to stimulation of
  semicircular canals resulting from rotational
  movements of the head