Cuneate fasciculus

Last revised by Tim Luijkx on 25 Jul 2019

The cuneate fasciculus, also known as the fasciculus cuneatus (plural: fasciculi cuneati) or column of Burdach, represents the lateral portion of the dorsal columns and carries input from between and including C1 and T6 1

The cuneate fasciculus is responsible for transmitting vibration, conscious proprioception, and fine (discriminative) touch sensations from the upper body 1.

First-order neurons from peripheral receptors enter the spinal cord via the posterior roots, and unlike first-order neurons from the spinothalamic tract, do not synapse in the posterior posterior grey horn of the cord 1. Thus, these first-order neurons form the cuneate fasciculus of the dorsal columns if input was from between and including C1 and T6 1. If input is from T7 or below, the gracile fasciculus is formed instead, which is discussed separately. 

Unlike fibers of the spinothalamic tract, these first-order neurons in the cuneate fasciculus continue to ascend without decussation 1. This ipsilateral ascension continues until the medulla oblongata of the brainstem 1. Fibers of this tract are somatotopically organized for their entire course 1.

Upon reaching the cuneate nucleus of the caudal medulla oblongata these first-order neurons terminate and synapse with second-order neurons 1. These second-order neurons then decussate to the contralateral side, known as the internal arcuate fibers during this decussation 1. These decussated neurons continue to ascend as part of the medial lemniscus where they terminate in the ventral posterior nucleus of the thalamus 1. Here, they synapse with third-order neurons 1. It is these third-order neurons that finally project to the primary somatosensory area on the ipsilateral side of the cerebral cortex 1.

Named after Karl Friedrich Burdach (1776-1847), German anatomist 1

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