red nucleus

Introduction

A somewhat elongated cell mass in the rostral mesencephalic tegmentum.

Afferents

• a massive projection from the contralateral cerebellum by way of the superior cerebellar peduncle
  • anterior interpositus nucleus*
• fibers from the ipsilateral motor cortex*

* fibers from the anterior interpositus nucleus (cerebellum) & the motor cortex are somatotopically organized

Efferents

• contralateral rhombencephalic reticular formation (via rubrobulbar tract)
• spinal cord (via rubrospinal tract*)

* rubrospinal fibers are somatotopically organized

More general terms

• CNS nucleus

Additional terms

• interpositus nucleus
• superior cerebellar peduncle (brachium conjunctivum)

Component of

• tegmentum mesencephali