Grey column

Grey column is a term used in neuroanatomy to refer to the intermediate grey matter of the spinal cord. It is also known as the intermediate column or intermediate horn.

Etymology

The term "grey column" is derived from the color of the tissue as it appears in preserved specimens. The color is due to the high content of neuron cell bodies, which lack the myelin that gives white matter its color.

Anatomy

The grey column is located in the spinal cord, between the dorsal horn and the ventral horn. It is most prominent in the thoracic and upper lumbar regions, where it forms the intermediolateral nucleus. This nucleus is involved in the sympathetic nervous system, and its neurons give rise to the preganglionic fibers of the sympathetic system.

Function

The grey column, specifically the intermediolateral nucleus, plays a crucial role in the functioning of the sympathetic nervous system. It is involved in many autonomic functions, including heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion.

Clinical significance

Damage to the grey column can result in a variety of neurological disorders, including autonomic dysreflexia, a condition characterized by sudden and severe high blood pressure, and Horner's syndrome, a condition characterized by drooping eyelids, constricted pupils, and loss of sweating on one side of the face.

See also

• Spinal cord
• Sympathetic nervous system
• Autonomic dysreflexia
• Horner's syndrome

References

Grey column Resources
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