Vestibulospinal tract

Definition

The vestibulospinal tract is a pathway in the central nervous system that conducts impulses from the vestibular system to the spinal cord, primarily influencing muscle tone and reflexes that maintain posture and balance. It plays a crucial role in enabling the body to make automatic adjustments in posture in response to movements of the head.

Related terms

Vestibular System:

The sensory system located within the inner ear that detects motion and changes in position, playing a key role in maintaining balance.

Spinal Cord:

A long, thin, tubular structure made up of nervous tissue, which extends from the medulla oblongata in the brainstem down to the lumbar region of the vertebral column, conveying nerve signals between the brain and the rest of the body.

Muscle Tone: The continuous and passive partial contraction of muscles or their resistance to passive stretching during resting state, helping maintain posture