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gracile fasciculus

f. gracilis medullae spinalis

Also known as the tract of Goll, after the Swiss neuroanatomist Friedrich Goll, the fasciculus gracilis is a bundle of axons in the dorsomedial spinal cord carrying fine touch, vibration, and conscious proprioception from the lower part of the body to the brain stem. It forms part of the posterior column alongside the fasciculus cuneatus, which conveys the same modalities from the upper body, and together with their continuation in the brain stem these tracts constitute the posterior column-medial lemniscus pathway. On transverse section the fasciculus is wedge-shaped, lying next to the posterior median septum with its base at the surface of the cord and its apex directed toward the posterior grey commissure. It increases in size from below upward and consists of long thin fibres derived from the posterior nerve roots, ending in the nucleus gracilis.

A group of axons that are from neurons involved in proprioception from the lower trunk and lower limb[GO]. The fasciculus gracilis (tract of Goll) is a bundle of axon fibres in the dorsomedial spinal cord that carries information about fine touch, vibrations, and conscious proprioception from the lower part of the body to the brain stem. It is part of the posterior column of the spinal cord, which also contains the fasciculus cuneatus, which carries the same information from the upper part of the body. This tract and its continuation in the brain stem is often referred to as the posterior column-medial lemniscus pathway. The fasciculus gracilis is wedge-shaped on transverse section and lies next the posterior median septum, its base being at the surface of the medulla spinalis, and its apex directed toward the posterior gray commissure. It increases in size from below upward, and consists of long thin fibers that are derived from the posterior nerve roots, and ascend as far as the medulla oblongata, where they end in the nucleus gracilis. The tract of Goll was named after Swiss neuroanatomist Friedrich Goll[WP].

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種類 Nerve
器官系 Nervous
ラテン語名 f. gracilis medullae spinalis
FMA ID 258416

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the gracile fasciculus?

The gracile fasciculus (fasciculus gracilis, or tract of Goll) is an axon bundle located in the dorsomedial portion of the posterior (dorsal) column of the spinal cord. It carries sensory information from the lower body to the brainstem.

What sensory modalities does the gracile fasciculus carry?

The gracile fasciculus transmits fine touch (discriminative touch), vibration sensation, and conscious proprioception (joint position sense) from the lower trunk, pelvis, and lower limbs upward to the gracile nucleus in the medulla oblongata.

What part of the body does the gracile fasciculus represent?

The gracile fasciculus carries sensory input from the lower half of the body (below approximately T6), including the legs, feet, and lower trunk. The cuneate fasciculus (lateral to it) carries input from the upper body.

Where does the gracile fasciculus terminate?

The gracile fasciculus ascends to terminate in the gracile nucleus (nucleus gracilis) in the dorsal medulla oblongata. Second-order neurons then cross the midline in the medial lemniscus to ascend to the thalamus.

What is the clinical significance of gracile fasciculus dysfunction?

Damage to the gracile fasciculus, as occurs in subacute combined degeneration (vitamin B12 deficiency) or spinal cord compression, causes loss of vibration sense and proprioception in the lower limbs, leading to sensory ataxia and a positive Romberg sign.

References

  1. Foundational Model of Anatomy — FMA:258416 Reference anatomy ontology (University of Washington)
  2. UBERON — UBERON:0005821 Cross-species anatomy ontology (EMBL-EBI Ontology Lookup Service)

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Educational Disclaimer

This content is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical decisions.

Data sources: Terminologia Anatomica, Foundational Model of Anatomy, Wikidata.