The corticobulbar (or corticonuclear) tract is a white matter pathway connecting the cerebral cortex to the brainstem (the term "bulbar" referring to the brainstem). White matter is one of the two main solid components of the central nervous system. ... Location of the cerebral cortex Slice of the cerebral cortex, ca. ... The brain stem is the stalk of the brain below the cerebral hemispheres. ...
The 'bulb' is an archaic term for the medulla oblongata. In clinical usage, it includes the pons as well.
The muscles of the face, head and neck are controlled by the corticobulbar system, which terminates on motor neurons within brainstem motor nuclei. This is in contrast to the corticospinal tract, which connects the cerebral cortex to spinal motor neurons, and controls movement of the torso, upper and lower limbs. â In vertebrates, the term motor neuron (or âmotoneuronâ) classically applies to neurons located in the central nervous system (CNS) which project their axons outside the CNS and directly or indirectly control muscles. ... A cranial nerve nucleus is a collection of neurons (gray matter) in the brain stem that is associated with one or more cranial nerves. ... The corticospinal or pyramidal tract is a massive collection of axons that travel between the cerebral cortex of the brain and the spinal cord. ...