Medial lemniscus

Medial Lemniscus

The Medial Lemniscus is a large ascending bundle of heavily myelinated axons that decussate in the brainstem, specifically in the medulla oblongata. The medial lemniscus is formed by the axons of the second-order neurons of the dorsal column-medial lemniscus pathway, bringing sensory information to the thalamus.

Anatomy

The Medial Lemniscus is part of the dorsal column-medial lemniscus pathway, which ascends from the body to the brain. It is formed by the axons of the second-order neurons, which have their cell bodies in the nucleus gracilis and nucleus cuneatus in the medulla. These axons decussate, or cross over, in the medulla, forming the internal arcuate fibers.

Function

The Medial Lemniscus carries sensory information from the body to the brain. This information includes fine touch, vibration sense, and proprioception, or the sense of the body's position in space. The information is carried to the thalamus, which then relays it to the cerebral cortex.

Clinical Significance

Damage to the Medial Lemniscus can result in a loss of these types of sensation on the opposite side of the body. This is because the axons of the medial lemniscus decussate, or cross over, in the medulla.

See Also

• Dorsal column-medial lemniscus pathway
• Nucleus gracilis
• Nucleus cuneatus
• Thalamus
• Cerebral cortex

References

Medial lemniscus Resources
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