[UW Anatomy |
Contents]
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.