Reticulospinal tract

Reticulospinal tract
Reticulospinal tract is labeled in red, near-center in figure (text tag at left).
Identifiers
NeuroNames	hier-802
NeuroLex ID	Reticulospinal tract
TA	A14.1.04.124
FMA	72639
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy []

The reticulospinal tract (or anterior reticulospinal tract) is an extrapyramidal motor tract that descends from the reticular formation in two tracts to act on the motor neurons supplying the trunk and proximal limb flexors and extensors. It is involved mainly in locomotion and postural control, although it does have other effects as well.

1. Integrates information from the motor systems to coordinate automatic movements of locomotion and posture

2. Facilitates and inhibits voluntary movement; influences muscle tone

3. Mediates autonomic functions

4. Modulates pain impulses

5. Influences blood flow to lateral geniculate nucleus of the thalamus.

The tract is divided into two parts, the medial (or pontine) and lateral (or medullary) reticulospinal tracts (MRST and LRST).

The sensory tract conveying information in the opposite direction is known as the "spinoreticular tract".

Mostly inhibited by the corticospinal tract, if damage occurs at the level of or below the red nucleus (e.g. to the superior colliculus) it is called decerebration and causes decerebrate rigidity, an unopposed extension of the head and limbs.

The reticulospinal tracts also provide a pathway by which the hypothalamus can control sympathetic thoracolumbar outflow and parasympathetic sacral outflow.