Posterior grey column

Posterior grey column

The posterior grey column, also known as the dorsal horn, is a region of grey matter in the spinal cord. It is one of the three grey columns that make up the spinal cord, the others being the anterior grey column and the lateral grey column. The posterior grey column is primarily involved in processing sensory information.

Anatomy

The posterior grey column is located in the dorsal part of the spinal cord and extends the entire length of the cord. It is composed of several distinct regions, including the substantia gelatinosa of Rolando, the nucleus proprius, and the dorsal nucleus of Clarke.

Substantia Gelatinosa of Rolando

The substantia gelatinosa of Rolando is a region of the posterior grey column that is involved in the processing of pain and temperature sensations. It is located at the tip of the posterior grey column and contains a high density of small neurons.

Nucleus Proprius

The nucleus proprius is a larger region of the posterior grey column that processes a variety of sensory information, including touch and proprioception. It is located just ventral to the substantia gelatinosa.

Dorsal Nucleus of Clarke

The dorsal nucleus of Clarke is a group of neurons located in the medial part of the posterior grey column, primarily in the thoracic and upper lumbar regions of the spinal cord. It is involved in proprioceptive information processing and sends projections to the cerebellum.

Function

The primary function of the posterior grey column is to receive and process sensory information from the peripheral nervous system. Sensory neurons enter the spinal cord through the dorsal root and synapse in the posterior grey column. The processed information is then transmitted to higher centers in the central nervous system, including the brainstem and thalamus.

Clinical Significance

Damage to the posterior grey column can result in a variety of sensory deficits, depending on the specific region affected. For example, damage to the substantia gelatinosa can result in a loss of pain and temperature sensation, while damage to the nucleus proprius can affect touch and proprioception.

See Also

• Spinal cord
• Grey matter
• Anterior grey column
• Lateral grey column
• Dorsal root
• Central nervous system
• Peripheral nervous system