vestibolospinali

Vestibulospinali, commonly referred to as the vestibulospinal tracts, are descending motor pathways that originate in the vestibular nuclei of the brainstem and project to the spinal cord. There are two main components: the lateral vestibulospinal tract (LVST) and the medial vestibulospinal tract (MVST). The LVST primarily arises from the lateral vestibular nucleus and descends ipsilaterally through the brainstem and ventral funiculus to influence motor neurons and interneurons throughout the spinal cord, with a strong effect on extensor muscles and antigravity postural tone. The MVST originates mainly from the medial vestibular nucleus and travels to the cervical and upper thoracic spinal cord via the anterior and medial portions of the spinal cord, coordinating neck and upper trunk muscles to stabilize the head and maintain posture during movement.

Functionally, vestibulospinal pathways integrate head and body orientation with gravity, contributing to balance, posture, and muscle tone. They work in concert with proprioceptive and visual inputs to produce appropriate postural adjustments and to stabilize the head and trunk during movement. The LVST is particularly associated with maintaining upright posture by facilitating extensor activity, while the MVST focuses on stabilizing the head and neck.

Clinical relevance includes impaired postural control and balance following damage to these pathways, which can manifest as instability, a wide-based gait, or difficulty maintaining posture when surface conditions or body position change.