Dorsal columns
Dorsal Columns
The Dorsal Columns (pronunciation: /ˈdɔːrsəl ˈkɒləmz/) are a key part of the anatomy of the spinal cord. They are responsible for carrying certain types of sensory information from the body to the brain.
Etymology
The term "dorsal" comes from the Latin word "dorsum", which means back. The term "column" is derived from the Latin "columna", meaning pillar. Together, they refer to the pillars at the back of the spinal cord.
Function
The Dorsal Columns carry information about touch, vibration sense, and proprioception (the sense of the position of body parts) from the body to the brain. This information is carried in two separate pathways, known as the fasciculus gracilis and the fasciculus cuneatus.
Related Terms
- Fasciculus Gracilis: This is the pathway in the dorsal column that carries information from the lower body and legs.
- Fasciculus Cuneatus: This is the pathway in the dorsal column that carries information from the upper body and arms.
- Proprioception: This is the sense of the relative position of one's own parts of the body and strength of effort being employed in movement.
- Spinal Cord: The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular structure made up of nervous tissue, which extends from the medulla oblongata in the brainstem to the lumbar region of the vertebral column.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Dorsal columns
- Wikipedia's article - Dorsal columns
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