Balance and equilibrium - Equilibrium - Pathways of the balance and equilibrium system

4 important questions on Balance and equilibrium - Equilibrium - Pathways of the balance and equilibrium system

Explain the 4 step pathway involved in the vestibulospinal tract for posture and balance

  1. Nerves from the ampulas + utricle + saccule → form the vestibular branch of CV VIII
  2. → CV III ganglion
  3. → vestibular nucleus (bilateral meaning on both sides). It has 4 regions: lateral, medial, superior and inferior. This is located in the brainstem. The lateral and medial nuclei control descending motor pathways, medial for head and neck to maintain balance and lateral for trunk & limb to maintain posture.
  4. They travel down to the spine via a tract called the vestibulospinal tract and synapse ipsilaterally on grey horns

Explain the 5 step vestibuloocular reflex pathway that control eyes muscles to keep visual objects in focus while the head is moving

  • Step 1: Balance signals travel from the inner ear to the vestibular ganglion.
  • Step 2: They travel along the vestibular nerve (part of Cranial Nerve VIII).
  • Step 3: They arrive at the vestibular nuclei in the brainstem.
  • Step 4: From the medial nuclei fibers ascend through the medial longitudinal fasciculus (MLF), a tract.
  • Step 5: They connect to the motor nuclei of Cranial Nerves III, IV, and VI to move your eyes or have when fixed on something when your head moves.

List the 5 step pathway involved in the conscious awareness of vestibular rotations that go up to the thalamus into the vestibular area of the cerebral cortex

  1. Vestibular ganglion
  2. Vestibular nerve
  3. Vestibular nuclei
  4. VPMN of thalamus
  5. Vestibular areas of the cerebral cortex
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Name the area of the brain that is responsible for for coordination, and maintaining of posture, muscle tone, and balance subconsciously

cerebellum, Sends motor signals back to the vestibular nuclei and into the vestibulospinal tract

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