vestibulospinala

Vestibulospinala, also known as the vestibulospinal tract, is a descending motor pathway of the central nervous system that originates in the vestibular nuclei of the brainstem. It plays a key role in postural control and the maintenance of balance by influencing motor neurons in the spinal cord.

Two main components comprise the pathway: the lateral vestibulospinal tract (LVST) and the medial vestibulospinal tract (MVST). The LVST arises from the lateral vestibular nucleus (Deiter’s nucleus) and descends largely ipsilaterally in the ventral (anterior) funiculus of the spinal cord, projecting to ventral horn neurons that control extensor muscles of the limbs and trunk to promote upright posture and anti-gravity tone. The MVST originates from the medial vestibular nucleus and descends mainly via the medial longitudinal fasciculus to cervical and upper thoracic segments, influencing neck and upper trunk muscles with bilateral projections.

Functions of vestibulospinala include maintaining balance, stabilizing posture during head and body movements, and adjusting muscle tone in response to head position changes. The tract interacts with other systems such as the vestibulo-ocular reflex, which coordinates head movements with gaze, and various reticulospinal pathways to integrate posture with movement.

Clinical relevance centers on how dysfunction can contribute to impaired postural control and gait instability, particularly in disorders affecting the vestibular system or brainstem. Lesions may disrupt the normal modulation of extensor tone and coordinate postural responses, leading to instability or abnormal muscle tone.