Editing Sense of balance (section)

=== Neural ===
First order [[vestibular nuclei]] (VN) project to [[lateral vestibular nucleus]] (IVN), [[medial vestibular nucleus]] (MVN), and [[superior vestibular nucleus]] (SVN).{{Clarify|date=July 2022}}

The [[inferior cerebellar peduncle]] is the largest center through which balance information passes. It is the area of integration between [[proprioceptive]], and vestibular inputs, to aid in unconscious maintenance of balance and posture.

The [[inferior olivary nucleus]] aids in complex [[Motor skill|motor tasks]] by encoding coordinating timing sensory information; this is decoded and acted upon in the [[cerebellum]].<ref>Mathy, Alexandre, and Sara S.N. Ho. "Encoding of Oscillations by Axonal Bursts in Inferior Olive Neurons." [[ScienceDirect|''Science Direct'']]. May 14, 2009. Web. March 28, 2016.</ref>

The [[cerebellar vermis]] has three main parts. The [[vestibulocerebellum]] regulates eye movements by the integration of visual info provided by the [[superior colliculus]] and balance information. The [[spinocerebellum]] integrates visual, auditory, proprioceptive, and balance information to act out body and limb movements. It receives input from the [[trigeminal nerve]], dorsal column (of the [[spinal cord]]), [[midbrain]], [[thalamus]], [[reticular formation]] and vestibular nuclei ([[Medulla oblongata|medulla]]) outputs{{Clarify|reason=What outputs?|date=July 2022}}. Lastly, the [[cerebrocerebellum]] plans, times, and initiates movement after evaluating sensory input from, primarily, motor cortex areas, via [[pons]] and cerebellar [[dentate nucleus]]. It outputs to the thalamus, [[motor cortex]] areas, and [[red nucleus]].<ref>Chen, S.H. Annabel, and John E. Desmond. "Cerebrocerebellar Networks during Articulatory Rehearsal and Verbal Working Memory Tasks." ''Science Direct''. January 15, 2005. Web. March 28, 2016.</ref><ref>Barmack, Neil H. "Central Vestibular System: Vestibular Nuclei and Posterior Cerebellum." ''Science Direct''. June 15, 2003. Web. March 28, 2016.</ref><ref>Akiyama, K., and S. Takazawa. "Bilateral Middle Cerebellar Peduncle Infarction Caused by Traumatic Vertebral Artery Dissection." [[The Journal of Neuroscience|''JNeurosci'']]. March 1, 2001. March 28, 2016.</ref>

The [[flocculonodular lobe]] is a cerebellar lobe that helps maintain body equilibrium by modifying [[muscle tone]] (the continuous and passive muscle contractions).

MVN and IVN are in the medulla, LVN and SVN are smaller and in pons. SVN, MVN, and IVN ascend within the [[medial longitudinal fasciculus]]. LVN descend the spinal cord within the [[lateral vestibulospinal tract]] and ends at the [[sacrum]]. MVN also descend the spinal cord, within the [[medial vestibulospinal tract]], ending at [[Lumbar vertebrae|lumbar 1]].<ref>Gdowski, Greg T., and Robert A. McCrea. "Integration of Vestibular and Head Movement Signals in the Vestibular Nuclei During Whole-Body Rotation. 01 July 1999. Web. 28 Mar. 2016.</ref><ref>Roy, Jefferson E., and [[Kathleen E. Cullen]]. "Dissociating Self-Generated from Passively Applied Head Motion: Neural Mechanisms in the Vestibular Nuclei." ''JNeurosci''. March 3, 2004. Web. March 28, 2016.</ref>

The [[thalamic reticular nucleus]] distributes information to various other thalamic nuclei, regulating the flow of information. It is speculatively able to stop signals, ending transmission of unimportant info. The thalamus relays info between pons (cerebellum link), motor cortices, and [[Insular cortex|insula]].

The insula is also heavily connected to motor cortices; the insula is likely where balance is likely brought into perception.

The [[Oculomotor nucleus|oculomotor nuclear complex]] refers to fibers going to [[Midbrain tegmentum|tegmentum]] (eye movement), red nucleus ([[gait]] (natural limb movement)), [[substantia nigra]] (reward), and [[cerebral peduncle]] (motor relay). Nucleus of Cajal are one of the named oculomotor nuclei, they are involved in eye movements and reflex gaze coordination.<ref>Takagi, Mineo, and David S. Zee. "Effects of Lesions of the Oculomotor Cerebellar Vermis on Eye Movements in Primate: Smooth Pursuit." April 1, 2000</ref><ref>Klier, Eliana M., and Hongying Wang. "Interstitial Nucleus of Cajal Encodes Three-Dimensional Head Orientations in Fick-Like Coordinates." Articles, January 1, 2007.</ref>

The [[abducens nerve]] solely innervates the [[lateral rectus muscle]] of the eye, moving the eye with the [[trochlear nerve]]. The trochlear solely innervates the [[superior oblique muscle]] of the eye. Together, trochlear and abducens contract and relax to simultaneously direct the pupil towards an angle and depress the globe on the opposite side of the eye (e.g. looking down directs the pupil down and depresses (towards the brain) the top of the globe). The pupil is not only directed, but often rotated, by these muscles. (See [[visual system]])

The thalamus and superior colliculus are connected via the [[lateral geniculate nucleus]]. The superior colliculus (SC) is the [[Topographic map (neuroanatomy)|topographical map]] for balance and quick orienting movements with primarily visual inputs. SC integrates multiple senses.<ref>May, Paul J. "The Mammalian Superior Colliculus: Laminar Structure and Connections." ''Science Direct''. 2006.</ref><ref>Corneil, Brian D., and Etienne Olivier. "Neck Muscle Responses to Stimulation of Monkey Superior Colliculus. I. Topography and Manipulation of Stimulation Parameters." October 1, 2002. Web. March 28, 2016.</ref>[[File:Balance Disorder Illustration B.png|thumb|Illustration of the flow of fluid in the ear, which in turn causes displacement of the top portion of the hair cells that are embedded in the jelly-like cupula. Also shows the [[Utricle (ear)|utricle]] and [[saccule]] organs that are responsible for detecting linear acceleration, or movement in a straight line.]]