Pathways
Upper motor neurons travel in several pathways through the CNS:
| Tract | Pathway | Function |
| corticospinal tract | from the motor cortex to lower motor neurons in the ventral horn of the spinal cord | The major function of this pathway is fine voluntary motor control of the limbs. The pathway also controls voluntary body posture adjustments. |
| corticobulbar tract | from the motor cortex to several nuclei in the pons and medulla oblongata | Involved in control of facial and jaw musculature, swallowing and tongue movements. |
| Colliculospinal tract | from the superior colliculus to lower motor neurons | Involved in involuntary adjustment of head position in response to visual information. |
| rubrospinal tract | from red nucleus to lower motor neurons | Involved in involuntary adjustment of arm position in response to balance information; support of the body. |
| vestibulospinal tract | from vestibular nuclei, which processes stimuli from semicircular canals | It is responsible for adjusting posture to maintain balance. |
| reticulospinal tract | from reticular formation | Regulates various involuntary motor activities and assists in balance. |
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