Spinal Cord Anatomy (NEET PG Focus)
Key Tract Anatomy & Locations
| Tract | Function | Location (White Matter) |
|---|---|---|
| Lateral Corticospinal | Voluntary Motor | Lateral Column |
| Dorsal Column | Vibration/Proprioception | Posterior Column |
| Lateral Spinothalamic | Pain/Temperature | Lateral Column |
NEET PG “Must-Know” Pearls
- Rexed Laminae: II (Substantia Gelatinosa) is crucial for pain modulation.
- Syringomyelia: Expansion of the central canal; causes “cape-like” distribution loss of pain and temperature due to destruction of the anterior white commissure.
- Brown-Séquard Syndrome (Hemicord):
- Ipsilateral: Loss of motor function (corticospinal) and vibration/proprioception (dorsal column).
- Contralateral: Loss of pain/temp (spinothalamic).
- Anterior Spinal Artery Syndrome: Bilateral loss of motor and pain/temp below the lesion; spares dorsal columns (vibration/proprioception preserved).
For additional high-yield questions and medical resources, you may visit mymedschool.org.