Spinocerebellar Pathways

Sections

Summary

OVERVIEW

  • Four pathways exist: the posterior, anterior, and rostral spinocerebellar tracts, and the cuneocerebellar tract. Except for the cuneocerebellar tract, all of the spinocerebellar tracts synapse within the spinal cord, and then project to the cerebellum.
  • As a rule, the inferior and middle cerebellar peduncles are the inflow pathways into the cerebellum and the superior cerebellar peduncle is the outflow pathway for fibers from the cerebellum.
  • One notable exception is the anterior spinocerebellar pathway, which enters the cerebellum via the superior cerebellar peduncle.

POSTERIOR SPINOCEREBELLAR TRACT

  • Originates in the lower trunk and lower limb,
  • synapses in the intermediate zone of the spinal cord from T1 to L2 in the dorsal nucleus of Clarke,
  • and enters the cerebellum via the ipsilateral inferior cerebellar peduncle.

ANTERIOR SPINOCEREBELLAR TRACT

Double decussation

  • The anterior spinocerebellar tract projects from L3 to L5 across midline within the ventral commissure,
  • ascends the spinal cord and brainstem within the anterior spinocerebellar tract,
  • enters the cerebellum within the superior cerebellar peduncle,
  • and then decussates again within the cerebellum to terminate on its side of origin.

CUNEOCEREBELLAR TRACT

  • Originates in the upper limb and upper trunk,
  • enters the posterior column of the spinal cord
  • and directly ascends the spinal cord to the lateral cuneate nucleus (aka accessory cuneate nucleus),
  • then enters the cerebellum via the ipsilateral inferior cerebellar peduncle.

ROSTRAL SPINOCEREBELLAR TRACT