Spinal Cord Anatomy CLOSE

Spinocerebellar Subconscious Pathways

Typical of subconscious pathways, spinocerebellar pathways are ipsilateral (uncrossed) and involve only two neurons (primary afferent & projection neurons). Receptors for spinocerebellar pathways are mainly encapsulated proprioceptors. They are associated with large myelinated axons, since the proprioceptive information is generally urgent. Spinocerebellar pathways differ for pelvic and thoracic limbs. Primary afferent neurons from the pelvic limb synapse on the nucleus thoracicus, which gives rise to the dorsal spinocerebellar tract. For the thoracic limb, cranial branches of primary afferent neurons run in the fasciculus cuneatus and synapse in the lateral cuneate nucleus. Axons of projection neurons from both limbs run in the caudal cerebellar peduncle to reach the cerebellum.

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