Slide 34: Sensory Decussation Level

Identify:

• Gracilis and Cuneatus Nuclei (NG, NC)
• Lateral Cuneatus Nucleus (LCN)
• Dorsal Spinocerrebellar Tract (DSCT)
• Spinotrigeminal Nucleus and Tract (SpTTr, SpTN)
• Solitary Nucleus and Tract (SN, ST)
• Hypoglossal Nucleus (12)
• Dorsal Motor Nucleus of the Vagus (DMN)
• Medial Longitudinal Fasciculus (MLF)
• Internal Arcuate Fibers (IAF)
• Spinothalamic Tract (STT)
• Rubrospinal Tract (RST)

Note:

• The Dorsal Motor Nucleus of the Vagus is characterized by scattered reddish specks (difficult to see here); these are vagal preganglionic parasympathetic neurons (GVE) which innervate the heart, lungs and gastrointestinal system (stomach, intestine, liver, pancreas).