The word "funiculus cuneatus" is pronounced as /fjuːˈnɪkjʊləs kjuːniˈeɪtəs/. The spelling of this word can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first syllable "fu" is pronounced as /fjuː/, followed by "ni" pronounced as /ˈnɪ/, "cu" as /kjuː/, "ne" as /niː/ and finally "atus" as /ˈeɪtəs/. The word refers to a sensory tract in the spinal cord responsible for proprioceptive and discriminatory touch information from the upper body.
Funiculus cuneatus is a term used in anatomy to refer to a portion of the spinal cord's dorsal column, specifically the white matter. It is also known as the cuneate fasciculus or the posterior spinocerebellar tract. The spinal cord is the main pathway for transmitting sensory and motor signals between the brain and the rest of the body.
This region of the dorsal column is primarily responsible for transmitting sensory information related to proprioception, discriminative touch, vibration, and conscious proprioception from the upper extremities, such as the arms, to the brain. The sensory neurons that relay these signals travel through the peripheral nerves and enter the spinal cord, where they ascend towards the brain through the funiculus cuneatus.
The funiculus cuneatus consists of a collection of axons, which are long, slender projections of nerve cells that transmit electrical impulses. These axons within the funiculus cuneatus are myelinated, which means they are surrounded by a protective fatty substance called myelin sheath, allowing for faster and more efficient transmission of signals.
The information carried by the funiculus cuneatus ultimately reaches the brainstem, where it is further processed and relayed to various regions of the brain, such as the somatosensory cortex, which plays a crucial role in perception and interpretation of sensory stimuli.
In summary, the funiculus cuneatus is a part of the spinal cord's dorsal column responsible for transmitting sensory information related to touch, vibration, and proprioception from the upper extremities to the brain.
The upward prolongation of the fasciculus cuneatus, or Burdach's tract, in the medulla.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "funiculus cuneatus" has Latin origins. It can be broken down as:
1. Funiculus: This Latin word translates to "small rope" or "cord". In the context of anatomy, it refers to a bundle of nerve fibers.
2. Cuneatus: Derived from the Latin word "cuneus", which means "wedge". In anatomical terms, it describes a shape that is triangular or wedge-like.
When combined, "funiculus cuneatus" refers to the wedge-shaped bundle of nerve fibers found in the spinal cord that carries sensory information related to proprioception, touch, and pressure from the upper body and limbs to the brain.