Vestibular system podcasts Flashcards
How many vestibular nuclie are ther
4
Where are the vestibular nuclie located
2 in caudal pons
2 in Rostral medulla
What 2 vestibular nuclie lie in the Caudal pons
Superior vestibular nucleus
Lateral vestibular nucleus
What 2 vestibular nuclei lie in the rostral medulla
Medial vestibular nucleus and Inferior vestibular nucleus
Where are sensory nuclei located on the brainstem?
on the side of the brainstem
Lateral Vestibulospinal Tract
• Function:
Maintains balance and posture
Route of Lateral Vestibulospinal Tract
• Route: Pathway descends ipsilaterally from lateral vestibular nucleus to all spinal cord levels
Mechanism of Lateral vestibulospinal tract
• Mechanism: Excites extensor muscles of the neck, back and lower limbs (antigravity muscles)
Medial Vestibulospinal Tract
• Functions:
Adjusts head position in response to postural changes
Pathway of Medial Vestibulospinal Tract
• Pathway descends bilaterally from medial vestibular nucleus to cervical spinal cord levels Coordinates eye movements with each other
What does the medial vestibulospinal tract do
• Pathway projects superiorly and bilaterally along medial longitudinal fasciculus (MLF) from vestibular nuclei to the paramedian pontine reticular formation (PPRF).
a. The PPRF projects to the ipsilateral abducens nucleus which, in turn, projects to the contralateral oculomotor nucleus
• The eyes are yoked together resulting in conjugate horizontal gaze.
a. Coordinates eye movements to compensate for head movements (i.e. the vestibuloocular reflex - VOR)
• The VOR maintains eye position during head turning.
The vestibuloocular reflex (VOR)
coordinates eye movemtns to compensate for eye movements
The VOR is done through
the Medial Vestibulospinal Tract
Tract responsible for coordinating eye movements with each other
Medial vestibulospinal tract
keeps eyes yolked together
Medial vestbulonspinal tract