The term "funiculus lateralis" refers to the lateral column of the spinal cord. It is pronounced as /fjuːˈnɪkjuːləs ləˈtɛrəlɪs/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The word "funiculus" comes from the Latin word "funis" meaning "rope", which describes the cord-like structure of the spinal column. "Lateralis" comes from the Latin word "latus" meaning "side", referring to the location of the column. The spelling of this word accurately reflects its pronunciation and its Latin origins.
Funiculus lateralis refers to a specific anatomical structure found in the human spinal cord. The term is derived from Latin, with "funiculus" meaning "a small cord" and "lateralis" meaning "pertaining to the side." In the context of the spinal cord, this term describes the lateral funiculus, which is one of the three major divisions of the white matter columns in the spinal cord.
The funiculus lateralis is located on either side of the spinal cord, adjacent to the ventral and dorsal funiculi. It contains bundles of nerve fibers, primarily composed of axons, that are responsible for transmitting sensory information. These nerve fibers originate from the dorsal root ganglia, where sensory neurons exist, and ascend or descend within the spinal cord.
The function of the funiculus lateralis is to relay sensory information from the body to the brain. These sensory signals can include touch, temperature, pain, and proprioception (the sense of body position). The nerve fibers within this structure ascend or descend the spinal cord within defined pathways, called tracts or fasciculi.
Overall, the funiculus lateralis plays a crucial role in the transmission of sensory information to the brain, facilitating the integration and processing of sensory stimuli. Understanding the anatomy and function of this structure is fundamental to comprehending the complex network of communication within the human nervous system.
The lateral white column of the spinal cord between the lines of exit and entrance of the anterior and posterior nerve-roots; it contains four tracts or fasciculi: the lateral cerebrospinal or crossed pyramidal, the cerebellospinal or direct cerebellar, the superficial anterolateral or Gowers' tract, and the proper lateral fasciculus or lateral ground or basis bundle; also the lateral white column of the medulla oblongata.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "funiculus lateralis" is a Latin term composed of two components:
1. Funiculus: The word "funiculus" comes from the Latin word "funiculus", which means "small rope" or "cord". It is derived from the Latin noun "funis", meaning "rope" or "cord".
2. Lateralis: The word "lateralis" is also derived from Latin and means "side", "lateral", or "pertaining to the side".
Therefore, the term "funiculus lateralis" literally translates to "lateral cord" or "side rope" in English.