nucleus gracilis

Introduction

The medial of 3 nuclei of the dorsal column in the medulla oblongata, the other 2 being the nucleus cuneatus & the accessory cuneate nucleus.

Afferents

• the nucleus gracilis receives dorsal root fibers conveying sensory innervation of the legs & lower trunk via the fasciculus gracilis

Efferents

• it projects via the medial lemniscus to the ventral posterolateral thalamic nucleus

More general terms

• CNS nucleus

Additional terms

• accessory cuneate nucleus
• fasciculus gracilis
• gracilis tubercle
• nucleus cuneatus