Lateral columns

Definition

Lateral columns are bundles of nerve fibers located on each side of the spinal cord, part of the white matter, that primarily carry motor signals from the brain to the body and sensory information back to the brain. They play a crucial role in the transmission of nerve impulses that control voluntary movements and regulate sensitivity to pain and temperature.

Related terms

Spinal Cord:

The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular structure made up of nervous tissue that extends from the medulla oblongata in the brainstem to the lumbar region of the vertebral column, serving as a major conduit for information traveling between the brain and peripheral nervous system.

White Matter:

White matter is tissue comprising mainly myelinated nerve fibers (axons) within the central nervous system that facilitates communication between different brain regions and between the brain and spinal cord.

Motor Signals: Motor signals are nerve impulses initiated by the central nervous system that instruct muscles to contract or relax, leading to movement or cessation of movement