Cytoarchitecture of the Spinal Cord
In transverse sections, the spinal cord is made up of the
gray matter
and peripheral
white matter
These have their own histological make up
Gray Matter
Dorsal horn (column)
Dorsomarginal nucleus (marginal) – layer I, All cord levels
Substantia gelatinosa – layer II, All cord levels
Nucleus proprius – layer III and IV, All cord levels
Nucleus dorsalis – layer VII, Base of dorsal horn
Lateral horn (column)
Intermediolateral nucleus – part of layer VII, L3-T1
Ventral horn (column)
Spinal border cells – S3-L2
Sacral parasympathetic nucleus – layer VII, S4-S2
Somatic motor nuclei – layer IX, All cord levels
Spinal accessory nucleus – layer IX, C6-C1
Phrenic nucleus – layer IX, C6-C3
White Matter
Dorsal funiculus (dorsal column) –
Subdivided above T6 into:
Fasciculus gracilis – All cord levels
Fasciculus cuneatus – T6-C1
Lateral funiculus
Ventral funiculus