Vestibular nuclei and their cerebellar connections

Abstract

The vestibular complex exists at a sensory-motor crossroad that is composed of fi ve separate nuclei defi ned primarily by a common vestibular primary afferent projection. These fi ve nuclei are located just beneath the dorsal surface of the medullary brainstem. They include: Descending, lateral, medial and superior nuclei (DVN, LVN, MVN and SVN) as well as the Parasolitary nucleus (Psol). Each vestibular nucleus can be recognized by a combination of boundaries that include fi ber bundles and histological characteristics such as cell size. With the exception of Psol, a nucleus that is composed of small GABAergic cells (5-7 µm in diameter), the DVN, LVN, MVN and SVN contain a variety of cell types and cell sizes. Here we review the afferent and efferent connections of the vestibular nuclei and discuss how these characteristics might infl uence function.