Caudal closed medulla oblongata, Dorsal column nuclei
A horizontal section through closed medulla oblongata.
In this region the most prominent feature of the white matter is the decussation of
corticospinal fibers (approximately 90%). At this point the corticospinal fibers
cross to the contralateral side located deep within the lateral funiculus of the
spinal cord.
The gracile tract becomes thinner as sensory fibers synapse within the nucleus gracile.
The majority of cuneate tract fibers are continuing to ascend before entering the
cuneate nucleus.
Important gray matter nuclei include the central gray,
nucleus gracile and cuneate, spinal trigeminal nucleus, and inferior olivary nucleus
.
Actual Specimen Size: 14mm
In this section of the medulla oblongata many labelled structures can be identified.
Answers to the labelled section
