LEMNISCUS MEDIALIS Meaning and
Definition
-
The term "lemniscus medialis" refers to a specific structure within the human brain. The word "lemniscus" is derived from the Latin word for "ribbon" or "band," while "medialis" comes from the Latin term for "middle." Therefore, the term can be understood as "the middle ribbon."
In neuroanatomy, the lemniscus medialis is a white matter tract located in the brainstem, specifically in the tegmentum of the midbrain and pons. It is part of the ascending sensory pathway responsible for transmitting important sensory information from the body to the thalamus, which acts as a relay station before relaying sensory information to the cerebral cortex.
The lemniscus medialis carries somatosensory information, including touch, vibration, and proprioception, from the opposite side of the body. It receives fibers from the dorsal column-medial lemniscus pathway, which originates in sensory receptors throughout the body and ascends through the spinal cord. The fibers then enter the brainstem and converge to form the lemniscus medialis, which continues its pathway towards the thalamus.
Injury or damage to the lemniscus medialis can result in sensory deficits, such as loss of tactile perception, inability to detect vibrations, or impaired proprioception. Understanding the structure and function of the lemniscus medialis is crucial for neurologists, neurosurgeons, and researchers in order to diagnose and treat neurological disorders related to sensory processing and perception.
-
Medial or mesial fillet, ribbon of Reil, a band of white fibers taking origin from the gracile and cuneate nuclei and crossing to the opposite side of the decussatio lemniscorum in the lower part of the medulla; thence it passes upward through the center of the medulla, close to the median raphe, and on reaching the pons spreads out laterally between the ventral and dorsal portions; in the mesencephalon it is followed as a flattened band on the ventral aspect of the decussating superior cerebral peduncles and is seen finally to enter the optic thalamus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for LEMNISCUS MEDIALIS
- kemniscus medialis
- pemniscus medialis
- oemniscus medialis
- lwmniscus medialis
- lsmniscus medialis
- ldmniscus medialis
- lrmniscus medialis
- l4mniscus medialis
- l3mniscus medialis
- lenniscus medialis
- lekniscus medialis
- lejniscus medialis
- lembiscus medialis
- lemmiscus medialis
- lemjiscus medialis
- lemhiscus medialis
- lemnuscus medialis
- lemnjscus medialis
- lemnkscus medialis
- lemnoscus medialis
Etymology of LEMNISCUS MEDIALIS
The word "lemniscus medialis" originates from Latin and Greek.
The term "lemniscus" comes from the Latin word "lemniscus", meaning "ribbon". In anatomy, it refers to a structure or nerve bundle that resembles a ribbon-like shape.
The word "medialis" is derived from the Latin word "medialis", which means "middle" or "central". It is used to indicate the location or position of the structure in question.
Therefore, "lemniscus medialis" can be understood as the "medial lemniscus", referring to a particular bundle of nerve fibers located centrally or medially.
