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.
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