[Specifics of innervation of the cranio-cervical transition]

Innervation at the craniocervical transition differs from other regions of the body in certain respects. In particular, thick-calibre neck muscle afferents project directly to the external cuneate nucleus and to the vestibular nuclear complex. This projection is most prominent in segments C2 and 3 and is sparse or absent in more caudal segments. Thus, proprioceptive neck muscle afferents gain direct access to vestibulospinal, vestibulooculomotor and other secondary or even higher-order vestibular neurons. There is extensive convergence of proprioceptive neck and labyrinthine afferents on these neurons, which plays an important role in the control of balance, posture and movements. It can be assumed that dysfunction of this cervicovestibular network results in a variety of clinical problems, in particular, so-called cervical balance disorders.