- Fasciculus cuneatus
Infobox Anatomy
Name = Fasciculus cuneatus
Latin = fasciculus cuneatus medullae spinalis
GraySubject = 185
GrayPage = 763
Caption = Fasciculus cuneatus is 3b, in blue at upper right.
Caption2 = Diagram of the principal fasciculi of the spinal cord.
System =
Precursor =
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DorlandsPre = f_03
DorlandsSuf = 12355858
The fasciculus cuneatus (tract of Burdach, named forKarl Friedrich Burdach ) is a bundle of nerves in the spinal cord which primarily transmits information from the arms. It is part of theposterior column-medial lemniscus pathway .Physical characteristics
The fasciculus cuneatus is triangular on transverse section, and lies between the
fasciculus gracilis and theposterior column , its base corresponding with the surface of themedulla spinalis .Its fibers, larger than those of the fasciculus gracilis, are mostly derived from the same source, viz., the
posterior nerve roots .Some ascend for only a short distance in the tract, and, entering the
gray matter , come into close relationship with the cells of thedorsal nucleus ; while others can be traced as far as themedulla oblongata , where they end in thegracile nucleus andcuneate nucleus .Information transmitted
The Fasciculus cuneatus transmits fine touch, fine pressure, vibration and
proprioception information fromspinal nerve s located indermatome s C1 through T6.Neurons
The Fasciculus cuneatus tract is composed of 1st order neurons that synapse onto 2nd order neurons in the brain stem.
The 2nd order neurons
decussate in thebrainstem and continue on to thethalamus where the 2nd order neurons synapse onto 3rd order neurons.The 3rd order neurons carry the received signals to the
somatosensory cortex where the signals, in the form ofaction potential s are interpreted.
=Additionalee also
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Fasciculus gracilis
*Dorsal columns External links
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