[OT 104] Lec. 4: Gray Matter of Spinal Cord

Layer 1

• marginal layer

• contains neurons that respond to noxious stimuli

• sends axons to the C/L spinothalamic tract

• dorsal horn

Layer 2

• substantia gelatinosa

• responds to noxious stimuli

• dorsal horn

Layer 3 and 4

• nucleus propius

• receives information about position and light touch sense

• dorsal horn

Layer 5

• responds to visceral noxious and afferent stimuli

• dorsal horn

Layer 6

• deepest layer of the dorsal horn

• responds to mechanical signals of joints and skin

• dorsal horn

Layer 7

• dorsalis or clarke’s nucleus/column, intermediolateral cell column, zona intermedia

• contains intermediolateral nucleus in the thoracic and lumbar regions

• gives rise to posterior spinocerebellar tract (unconscious, proprioceptive information to the cerebellum)

• lateral horn

Layer 8 and 9

• cell bodies of motor neurons innervating skeletal ms

• motor interneurons’ part of reflex pathway

• ventral horn

Layer 10

• small neurons around the central canal and their remnants