Lab 6 (ƒ9) Descending Pathways to the Spinal Cord

The Rubrospinal Pathway - Pons

Figure 1 is a transverse section through the caudal pons. The fibers of the rubrospinal tract have shifted further laterally and are now located lateral to the medial lemniscus, and anterior to the central tegmental tract.

Figure 2 is a transverse section through the pons/medullary junction. The rubrospinal tract maintains its lateral position, and with the anterior shift of the central tegmental tract, is now posterior to the spinothalamic tract and lateral to the inferior olives. Recall that the central tegmental tract contains axons of the red nucleus on their course to the inferior olive.