The spinocerebellar tracts convey unconscious proprioceptive information to the cerebellum. Which statement correctly distinguishes the dorsal spinocerebellar tract (DSCT) from the ventral spinocerebellar tract (VSCT)?

• A DSCT crosses the midline twice (double-crossed) and enters cerebellum via superior cerebellar peduncle; VSCT is uncrossed and enters via inferior peduncle
• B DSCT is uncrossed (ipsilateral) and enters the cerebellum via the inferior cerebellar peduncle; VSCT is double-crossed and enters via the superior cerebellar peduncle ✓
• C DSCT conveys information from Golgi tendon organs only; VSCT conveys information from muscle spindles only
• D Both tracts cross once in the spinal cord and enter the cerebellum via the middle cerebellar peduncle

Explanation

The DSCT (Clarke's column → ipsilateral lateral funiculus → inferior cerebellar peduncle) is uncrossed: it conveys precise proprioceptive information from individual limb muscles ipsilaterally. The VSCT crosses in the cord, ascends contralaterally, then crosses again in the brainstem (double-crossed = effectively ipsilateral) and enters the cerebellum via the superior cerebellar peduncle. Both tracts carry Ia afferent and Golgi tendon organ inputs but the DSCT provides more discrete single-muscle data. Middle cerebellar peduncle carries corticopontocerebellar fibers.

Reference: Guyton & Hall, Textbook of Medical Physiology, 14th ed.

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