ISSN:
1432-1106
Keywords:
Spinal cord
;
Dorsal horn
;
Cutaneous afferents
;
Receptive fields
;
Spino-cervical tract
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary The locations of the cell bodies of origin of a pathway ascending in the dorsal part of the lateral funiculus of the cat spinal cord were mapped. It is presumed that the pathway is the spino-cervical tract. The locations of the neurons were determined by recording the antidromic action potentials in the lumbosacral enlargement evoked by stimulation of their axons at the third cervical segment, and then histologically reconstructing the recording sites. The cells were found to be scattered throughout laminae 4–6 of the dorsal horn, although most were in laminae 4 and 5. The conduction velocities of the axons ranged from 7 to 90 m/sec (mean 44 m/sec). A somatotopic relationship was observed between the locations of the cells within the dorsal horn and the distributions of their peripheral receptive fields. This somatotopic organization was oriented with respect to rostrocaudal and dorso-ventral axes as determined for the adult hindlimb by reference to its fetal development. The axes become distorted during development, but are still recognizable in the adult. Cells receiving afferent input from skin derived from rostral portions of the limb, including the medial surface of the adult foot, are located rostrally in the cord. The caudal limb, which includes the lateral surface of the foot in the adult, is represented caudally in the spinal cord. The dorsal limb or extensor surface projects to the lateral part of the dorsal horn, while the ventral limb or flexor surface is represented medially.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00235027
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