Surrounding the gray matter on each side of the spinal cord are three columns (= funiculi) of white matter. They are referred to as the dorsal (= posterior), lateral, and ventral (= anterior) columns. The two ventral columns are linked by a short anterior white commissure (not labeled).
Each column is functionally subdivided into several sensory and motor tracts and fasciculi. These areas contain many myelinated axons, which makes the columns appear light in color.
Axons in the sensory tracts and fasciculi carry information up the spinal cord to the brain, and axons in the motor tracts carry information from the brain down the spinal cord.
