posterior (dorsal) column

Introduction

White matter tract medial to the dorsal horns consisting of axons that relay somatic sensory information to the medulla. This tract includes the fasciculus gracilis & the fasciculus cuneatus, spinal cord columns transmitting proprioception, stereognosis & vibratory sensation ipsilaterally to medullary nuclei (nucleus gracilis & nucleus cuneatus, respectively) before crossing over.

Pathology

• the posterior columns of the thoracic & cervical spine degenerate in vitamin B12 deficiency

Additional terms

• fasciculus cuneatus
• fasciculus gracilis