One of the dorsal column nuclei

Dorsal column nuclei

In neuroanatomy, the dorsal column nuclei are a pair of nuclei in the brainstem. The name refers collectively to the cuneate nucleus and gracile nucleus, which are present at the junction between the spinal cord and the medulla oblongata...

, the cuneate nucleus is a wedge-shaped nucleus

Nucleus (neuroanatomy)

In neuroanatomy, a nucleus is a brain structure consisting of a relatively compact cluster of neurons. It is one of the two most common forms of nerve cell organization, the other being layered structures such as the cerebral cortex or cerebellar cortex. In anatomical sections, a nucleus shows up...

 in the closed part of the medulla oblongata

Medulla oblongata

The medulla oblongata is the lower half of the brainstem. In discussions of neurology and similar contexts where no ambiguity will result, it is often referred to as simply the medulla...

. It contains cells that give rise to the cuneate tubercle, visible on the posterior aspect of the medulla. It lies laterally to the gracile nucleus

Gracile nucleus

Located in the medulla oblongata, the gracile nucleus is one of the dorsal column nuclei that participate in the sensation of fine touch and proprioception of the lower body...

 and medial to the spinal trigeminal nucleus

Spinal trigeminal nucleus

The spinal trigeminal nucleus is a nucleus in the medulla that receives information about deep/crude touch, pain, and temperature from the ipsilateral face. The facial, glossopharyngeal, and vagus nerves also convey pain information from their areas to the spinal trigeminal nucleus.This nucleus...

 in the medulla.

Function

The cuneate nucleus is part of dorsal column-medial lemniscus system, carrying fine touch and proprioceptive

Proprioception

Proprioception , from Latin proprius, meaning "one's own" and perception, is the sense of the relative position of neighbouring parts of the body and strength of effort being employed in movement...

 information from the upper body (above T6, except the face and ear - the information from the face and ear is carried by the primary sensory trigeminal nucleus) to the contralateral thalamus

Thalamus

The thalamus is a midline paired symmetrical structure within the brains of vertebrates, including humans. It is situated between the cerebral cortex and midbrain, both in terms of location and neurological connections...

 via the medial lemniscus.

Inputs

It receives direct input from the mechanoreceptors of the upper body as well as indirect input from them via the spinal cord. It is also subject to descending control from the central nervous system.

Pathology

It may be affected by vitamin E

Tocopherol

Tocopherols are a class of chemical compounds of which many have vitamin E activity. It is a series of organic compounds consisting of various methylated phenols...

 deficiency exhibiting neuroaxonal swelling.

External links

• NIF Search - Cuneate Nucleus via the Neuroscience Information Framework
  Neuroscience Information Framework
  The Neuroscience Information Framework is a repository of global neuroscience web resources, including experimental, clinical, and translational neuroscience databases, knowledge bases, atlases, and genetic/genomic resources.-Description:...