Internal arcuate fibers

Internal arcuate fibers

Diagram showing the course of the arcuate fibers. (Testut.) 1. Medulla oblongata anterior surface. 2. Anterior median fissure. 3. Fourth ventricle. 4. Inferior olivary nucleus, with the accessory olivary nuclei. 5. Gracile nucleus. 6. Cuneate nucleus. 7. Trigeminal. 8. Inferior peduncles, seen from in front. 9. Posterior external arcuate fibers. 10. Anterior external arcuate fibers. 11. Internal arcuate fibers. 12. Peduncle of inferior olivary nucleus. 13. Nucleus arcuatus. 14. Vagus. 15. Hypoglossal.

Section of the medulla oblongata at about the middle of the olive. (Arcuate fibers labeled at center right.)
Latin	fibrae arcuatae internae
Gray's	subject #187 782
Dorlands/Elsevier	f_05/12361842

Internal arcuate fibers are the axons of second-order neurons contained within the gracile and cuneate nuclei of the medulla oblongata. These fibers cross (decussate) from one side of the medulla to the other to form the medial lemniscus. Part of the dorsal column-medial lemniscus system, the internal arcuate fibers are important for relaying the sensation of fine touch and proprioception to the thalamus and ultimately to the cerebral cortex.

[edit] External links

This neuroscience article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.