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Life Sciences Division, Ames Research Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Moffett Field, California 94035, USA
Address for correspondence: Richard Boyle, Life Sciences Division, Ames Research Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Moffett Field, CA 94035. Voice: 650-604-1099; fax: 650-604-3954. richard.boyle{at}nasa.gov Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 1004: 183-195 (2003).
The lateral and medial vestibulospinal tracts constitute the major descending pathways controlling extensor musculature of the body. We examined the axon morphology and synaptic input patterns and targets in the cervical spinal segments from these tract cells using intracellular recording and biocytin labeling in the squirrel monkey. Lumbosacral projecting cells represent a private, and mostly rapid, communication pathway between the dorsal Deiters' nucleus and the motor circuits controlling the lower limbs and tail. The cervical projecting cells provide both redundant and variable synaptic input to spinal cell groups, suggesting both general and specific control of the head and neck reflexes.
Key Words: axon • eighth nerve • ventral horn • posture • synaptic boutons • intracellular labeling
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