Lateral vestibulospinal tract

The lateral vestibulospinal tract is an example of a descending motor tract which originates from the lateral vestibular nuclei situated in the floor of the fourth ventricle at the junction of pons and medulla oblongata. The motor neurons descend uncrossed in the anterior part of lateral funiculus (or anterolateral white column)–throughout length of spinal cord–to terminate on the cell bodies of alpha and gamma motor neurons in the anterior gray columns of spinal cord.

The vestibular nuclei receive connections from the inner ear and the cerebellum. The lateral vestibulospinal tract helps adjust and maintain posture and balance. This is done by changing the muscle tone and increasing activation of anti-gravity extensor muscles, thus maintaining an upright posture in response to changing orientation of the head.

A corresponding adjustment of eye position and stabilization of gaze during head movements, is brought about by connections of vestibular nuclei with the extra-ocular motor nuclei, via the medial longitudinal fasciculus (a.k.a. vestibulo-ocular reflex).