Vestibulospinal Pathways

The lateral vestibular nucleus projects uncrossed descending fibers, which descend the ventral spinal cord and innervate extensor motor neurons throughout the spinal cord via the lateral vestibulospinal tract. The medial vestibular nucleus projects crossed and uncrossed fibers that descend the medial spinal cord to innervate extensor motor neurons in the upper spinal cord, only, via the medial vestibulospinal tract. The medial vestibulospinal tract also receives minor inputs from the lateral and inferior vestibular nuclei, as well. These vestibulospinal pathways provide antigravity movements for the maintenance of posture, as do the reticulospinal tracts.