Posterior thoracic nucleus

Posterior Thoracic Nucleus

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The posterior thoracic nucleus is located in the spinal cord. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

The Posterior Thoracic Nucleus (also known as Clarke's Column or Clarke's Nucleus) is a group of cells found in the medial part of the base of the posterior horn of the spinal cord. It is named after British neurologist and pathologist Jacob A. Clarke, who first described it in 1851.

Anatomy

The posterior thoracic nucleus is located in the intermediate gray matter of the spinal cord, extending from the eighth cervical segment to the third lumbar segment. It is most prominent in the thoracic region, hence its name. The cells of the posterior thoracic nucleus are multipolar and medium-sized, and they give rise to the dorsal spinocerebellar tract.

Function

The primary function of the posterior thoracic nucleus is to receive proprioceptive information from muscle spindles and Golgi tendon organs. This information is then transmitted to the cerebellum via the dorsal spinocerebellar tract, contributing to the coordination of voluntary movements.

Clinical Significance

Damage to the posterior thoracic nucleus can result in a loss of proprioception, leading to difficulties with balance and coordination. This can occur as a result of spinal cord injury, neurodegenerative diseases, or certain types of poisoning.

See Also

• Spinal cord
• Proprioception
• Dorsal spinocerebellar tract