Rückenmarkskern

The Rückenmarkskern, often translated as the "spinal cord core" or "spinal cord center," refers to a concept within neuroanatomy and physiology describing the central gray matter of the spinal cord. This region is characterized by its butterfly or H-shape when viewed in cross-section and is primarily composed of neuronal cell bodies, dendrites, unmyelinated axons, glial cells, and synapses. It serves as a critical processing hub for sensory and motor information.

The gray matter is organized into distinct horns. The dorsal horns (posterior horns) receive sensory information from the body via afferent neurons and are involved in processing touch, pain, and temperature. The ventral horns (anterior horns) contain motor neurons that project to skeletal muscles, controlling voluntary movement. The intermediate gray matter, located between the dorsal and ventral horns, contains interneurons that connect different parts of the spinal cord and also houses components of the autonomic nervous system, such as the lateral horns found in thoracic and upper lumbar segments which contain preganglionic sympathetic neurons.

The central canal, a remnant of the embryonic neural tube, runs through the center of the gray matter, containing cerebrospinal fluid. The surrounding white matter consists of myelinated axons organized into ascending and descending tracts, facilitating rapid communication between the spinal cord and the brain, as well as between different spinal cord segments. The intricate organization of the Rückenmarkskern is fundamental to a vast range of bodily functions, from simple reflexes to complex motor control and sensory perception.