Posterior column

Posterior Column

The posterior column (also known as the dorsal column) is a key component of the central nervous system. It is one of the three major columns or tracts of the spinal cord, the other two being the anterior column and the lateral column. The posterior column is responsible for transmitting certain types of sensory information from the periphery to the brain.

Anatomy

The posterior column is located at the back (dorsal side) of the spinal cord. It is divided into two separate tracts: the fasciculus gracilis, which carries sensory information from the lower body, and the fasciculus cuneatus, which carries information from the upper body. These tracts consist of axons of primary sensory neurons located in the dorsal root ganglia.

Function

The primary function of the posterior column is to carry sensory information about fine touch, vibration, and proprioception (the sense of the relative position of one's own parts of the body). This information is transmitted to the brain via the medulla oblongata, where it is processed and integrated with other sensory information.

Clinical significance

Damage to the posterior column can result in a loss of proprioception and fine touch sensation. This can be caused by various conditions, including vitamin B12 deficiency, neurosyphilis, and multiple sclerosis. Diagnosis of posterior column dysfunction is typically made through a combination of clinical examination and neuroimaging studies.

See also

• Anterior column
• Lateral column
• Spinal cord
• Central nervous system