[UW Anatomy | Contents]


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Point: 22. Red Nucleus (THE RUBER)

Function:
Rostral midbrain nucleus involved in motor function. Little is known about this nucleus in man.

Pathway:
The "Ruber" lies in the midbrain, just dorsal to the substantia nigra, at the level of the superior colliculus (level# 10). Ruber neurons possess axons that project to the CONTRA. spinal cord grey. Rubrospinal axons decussate just caudal to the nucleus, travel caudally in the brain stem (we can not see them in our sections) and enter the spinal cord, where they travel close to the lateral corticospinal tract in the lateral funiculus. Rubrospinal axons leave the lateral funiculus and pass into the ventral horn to terminate primarily on interneurons (which in turn synapse on lower motor [alpha] neurons). Functionally, the rubrospinal tract is thought to work closely with lateral corticospinal tract.

Deficits:
Motor problems of CONTRA arm and leg.

Other Note:
Ruber has high iron content and is quite vascular, therefore is PINKISH in fresh preparations.


Last Modified: February 7, 1996
Maintained by: neuro714@macc.wisc.edu