Cuneate nucleus

The cuneate nucleus (syn. Burdach nucleus, according to Friedrich Burdach ) is a collection of nerve cells ( core area ) in the medulla oblongata at the caudal end of the fourth ventricle. Externally visible bulges on the rear wall of the medulla oblongata through the core of a hill out, which is called tubercle cuneatum. The cuneate nucleus is part of the so-called lemniskalen system ( dorsal column path ), a pathway for the sensitive perception in mammals. How the nucleus gracilis it is therefore also known as dorsal column nucleus. Embryo arises from the core area of the wing panel migrating neuroblasts of the brain system.

His afferents procured in connection with the fasciculus cuneatus. In the cuneate nucleus they are synaptically switched to the second neuron. The efferent fibers run as bulbothalamicus tract to the nucleus of the ventral posterolateral thalamus. Tick ​​still in the medulla oblongata - more precisely in the loop crossing ( decussation lemniscorum ) - as arcuate fibers externae on the other side of the body and then run as the medial lemniscus in the diencephalon.

The cuneate nucleus is affiliated with an additional smaller core area, which is referred to as the accessory cuneate nucleus. This core area directs a portion of the afferents from the fasciculus cuneatus on the tract cuneocereballaris further to the cerebellum.