Human Anatomy - Kotsan I. Ya. 2009

Pathways of the Brain and Spinal Cord
Descending Motor Pathways of the Cerebellum

The Cerebellum is involved in the control of spinal motor Neurons (mediating Muscle coordination, maintaining balance, preserving muscle tone, and overcoming inertia and gravity). This is accomplished via the cerebellorubrospinal tract (tractus cerebellorubrospinalis).

The Cell bodies of the first-order neurons of this pathway are located in the cerebellar cortex (Purkinje Cells). Their axons terminate in the dentate Nucleus of the cerebellum, and possibly in other cerebellar nuclei as well, where the cell bodies of the second-order neurons reside. The axons of the second-order neurons pass through the superior cerebellar peduncles to the Midbrain and terminate in the red nucleus. Here are located the cell bodies of the third-order neurons, whose axons—as part of the rubrospinal tract, after synapsing with the motor neurons in the anterior horns of the Spinal Cord (fourth-order neurons)—ultimately reach the skeletal musculature.



Last update: 08/08/2026

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