Vestibular Nucleus

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The vestibular nucleus is divided into four: (1) the lateral vestibular nucleus (also known as DEITER’S NUCLEUS), important for the control of posture; it has inputs from CEREBELLUM (the VERMIS), SPINAL CORD and VESTIBULAR LABYRINTH; and has output (via lateral vestibulospinal tract) to the VENTRAL HORN. (2 and 3) The medial vestibular nucleus and the superior vestibular nucleus, both important for vestibulo-ocular interactions; there is input from the AMPULLAE of the SEMICIRCULAR CANALS; and output via the medial vestibulospinal tract (to the cervical spinal cord) from where control of the neck muscles can be established.

There is also output via the MEDIAL LONGITUDINAL FASCICULUS to sites of control of EYE MOVEMENTS (including the cranial nerve nuclei involved in controlling the musculature of the eye (the third [OCULOMOTOR NERVE], fourth [TROCHLEAR NERVE] and sixth [ABDUCENS NERVE] CRANIAL NERVES). (4) The inferior vestibular nucleus, important for integration of information from the VESTIBULAR SYSTEM and the cerebellum. It has inputs from the semicircular canals, UTRICLE and SACCULE, and from the cerebellum (the vermis); and it has outputs that travels via the VESTIBULOSPINAL and VESTIBULORETICULAR PATHWAYS to influence other sites in the BRAINSTEM and in the THALAMUS.

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