Part 10 · Neurophysiology I — Sensory Systems and Special Senses

105. Dorsal Column–Medial Lemniscus and Anterolateral Systems

~2 min read

Same concept, other depth: Foundation →

Dr. Amy

your study friend

Dear Doctor, shall we discuss & understand?

Sweet, clear and patient — like a friend who really wants you to get it. I believe in you — let's grow step by step.

Your tutor:

Voice chat works best in Chrome or Edge — you can also read, listen and type below.

Feature	DCML	Anterolateral (spinothalamic + spinoreticular, spinomesencephalic)
Modalities	fine touch, vibration, conscious proprioception, two‑point discrimination, stereognosis (with parietal cortex)	pain, temperature, crude touch, itch, visceral, sexual sensations
1st order	DRG → ipsilateral dorsal column (no cord synapse)	DRG → Lissauer tract (± 1–2 segments) → dorsal horn laminae I, II, V
2nd order	nucleus gracilis/cuneatus (caudal medulla) → internal arcuate fibres cross → medial lemniscus	dorsal horn → crosses in anterior white commissure → contralateral anterolateral funiculus
3rd order	VPL → posterior limb internal capsule → S1	VPL (discriminative), VMpo/posterior, intralaminar/MD (affective) → S1, S2, insula, ACC
Somatotopy	gracilis (leg) medial; cuneatus (arm) lateral, present above T6	sacral lateral (outer), cervical medial (inner)

Loading the rest of this concept…

Talk it through with Dr. Amy

Dear Doctor, I'll teach a little, then listen to you — slowly, warmly, and at your pace.

Finished this one?

No test, no score — just a tick for you, kept on your own device.

Connected to this topic

Educational only — not a substitute for clinical judgement, supervision, or local guidelines.

Loading…

Feature

DCML

Anterolateral (spinothalamic + spinoreticular, spinomesencephalic)

Modalities

fine touch, vibration, conscious proprioception, two‑point discrimination, stereognosis (with parietal cortex)

pain, temperature, crude touch, itch, visceral, sexual sensations

1st order

DRG → ipsilateral dorsal column (no cord synapse)

DRG → Lissauer tract (± 1–2 segments) → dorsal horn laminae I, II, V

2nd order

nucleus gracilis/cuneatus (caudal medulla) → internal arcuate fibres cross → medial lemniscus

dorsal horn → crosses in anterior white commissure → contralateral anterolateral funiculus

3rd order

VPL → posterior limb internal capsule → S1

VPL (discriminative), VMpo/posterior, intralaminar/MD (affective) → S1, S2, insula, ACC

Somatotopy

gracilis (leg) medial; cuneatus (arm) lateral, present above T6

sacral lateral (outer), cervical medial (inner)