The rubrospinal tract is a descending motor pathway of the central nervous system.
Anatomy
The rubrospinal tract extends from the Red nucleus in the Midbrain to the Spinal cord. The rubrospinal tract crosses to the contralateral side at the level of the anterior tegmental decussation and gives off numerous collaterals as it passes through the Brainstem. In the spinal cord, it runs directly anterior to the Corticospinal tract. In humans, it is postulated that the rubrospinal tract terminates at the level of the cervical spinal cord.
Function
Animal studies have shown that the rubrospinal tract has an excitatory effect on flexors and an inhibitory effect on extensors[^1].