Spinal Cord White Matter – Anatomy & Functions

Author: Scott A. Sheffield MS

Last update:

  • Several columns of myelinated axons surround the gray matter of the spinal cord. The lipid in the myelin makes the columns appear light in color (white matter).
  • The columns are referred to as the image descriptiondorsal funiculus (or posterior funiculus), image descriptionlateral funiculus, and image descriptionventral funiculus (or anterior funiculus).
An image showing the white matter inside the spinal cord segment
An image showing the Dorsal funiculus inside the spinal cord segment
An image showing the Lateral funiculus and Dorsal funiculus inside the spinal cord segment
An image showing the Ventral funiculus, Lateral funiculus and Dorsal funiculus inside the spinal cord segment
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  • A short anterior white commissure (not labeled) is also present just anterior to the gray commisure.
  • The funiculi, in turn, are divided into several image descriptionsensory tracts (some are called fasciculi) and image descriptionmotor tracts.
An image showing the Ventral funiculus, Lateral funiculus and Dorsal funiculus inside the spinal cord segment
An image showing the Sensory Tracts, Ventral funiculus, Lateral funiculus and Dorsal funiculus inside the spinal cord segment
An image showing the Motor Tracts, Sensory Tracts, Ventral funiculus, Lateral funiculus and Dorsal funiculus inside the spinal cord segment
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Quickly and efficiently learn white and grey matter with these interactive spinal cord quizzes and worksheets.

Overview:

An image showing the Motor Tracts, Sensory Tracts, Ventral funiculus, Lateral funiculus and Dorsal funiculus inside the spinal cord segment without answers
An image showing the Motor Tracts, Sensory Tracts, Ventral funiculus, Lateral funiculus and Dorsal funiculus inside the spinal cord segment with labeles and answers below
Swipe to show/hide the answers
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