Superior Colliculus

Authors

Affiliations

Nate Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

A structure that is part of the Corpora Quadrigemina that aids in visual orientation (head and eyes) towards light

Pathway

Input

Mechanoreceptor input from upper cervical segments (OA, AA, A-c3) from cervical spine muscles have direct input on the superior colliculus^{kristjanssonSensorimotorFunctionDizziness2009?}

Pathway

Decussate: in midbrain (Dorsal tegmental decussation)

Output

The superior colliculus pathway terminates at:

• Pulvinar nucleus (Thalamus)
• And possibly the Lateral geniculate nucleus?

Function

The afferent information from the superior colliculus allows

• Visual orienting:
  • Tracking a moving object
  • Orients head & eyes (turns head away or towards flash of light)

Clinical Significance

Mechanoreceptor input(OA, AA, A-c3) and C/S muscles to the superior colliculus can cause problems with sensorimotor control as well as cervicogenic headaches^{kristjanssonSensorimotorFunctionDizziness2009?}.

Even stimulation of these muscle afferents (via nuck muscle vibration) can induce eye position changes, visual illusory mvmts and head mvmt illusions)