Column of Clarke

Column of Clarke (also known as Clarke's column or nucleus dorsalis) is a group of neurons located in the medial part of the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. It is named after British neurologist and pathologist Jacob Augustus Lockhart Clarke, who first described it in the 19th century.

Anatomy

The Column of Clarke is located in the base of the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, specifically in the thoracic and upper lumbar regions. It extends from the eighth cervical segment to the third lumbar segment. The neurons in this column are interneurons, which serve as a relay between sensory and motor neurons.

Function

The primary function of the Column of Clarke is to transmit proprioceptive information from the body to the cerebellum. Proprioception is the sense of the relative position of one's own parts of the body and strength of effort being employed in movement. The neurons in the Column of Clarke receive input from muscle spindles and Golgi tendon organs, which are sensory receptors involved in the detection of changes in muscle tension and length. This information is then sent to the cerebellum via the dorsal spinocerebellar tract.

Clinical significance

Damage to the Column of Clarke can result in a loss of proprioception, leading to difficulties in coordinating movements. This can be seen in conditions such as Friedreich's ataxia and multiple sclerosis, where damage to the spinal cord and nervous system can affect the function of the Column of Clarke.

See also

• Dorsal horn
• Spinal cord
• Proprioception
• Interneuron
• Cerebellum