Posterior median sulcus of spinal cord

Posterior Median Sulcus of Spinal Cord

The posterior median sulcus is a shallow groove that runs along the midline of the dorsal surface of the spinal cord. It is an important anatomical feature that helps to divide the spinal cord into symmetrical halves.

Anatomy

The posterior median sulcus is located on the dorsal (back) side of the spinal cord. It extends along the entire length of the spinal cord, from the medulla oblongata at the base of the brain to the lower end of the spinal cord. The sulcus is more pronounced in the cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal cord.

Function

The primary function of the posterior median sulcus is to serve as a landmark that separates the two halves of the spinal cord. This separation is crucial for the organization of the white matter and gray matter within the spinal cord. The white matter consists of myelinated nerve fibers that transmit signals between different parts of the nervous system, while the gray matter contains the cell bodies of neurons.

Clinical Significance

Damage or abnormalities in the posterior median sulcus can affect the overall function of the spinal cord. Conditions such as spinal cord injury or spinal cord tumors can disrupt the normal anatomy of the sulcus, leading to neurological deficits.

Related Structures

• Anterior median fissure
• Dorsal column
• Ventral horn
• Central canal of spinal cord

See Also

• Spinal cord
• Nervous system
• Central nervous system
• Neuroanatomy