Ascending And Descending Tracts Of Spinal Cord Ppt May 2026

This blog post breaks down the complex highway system of the spinal cord , specifically focusing on the descending tracts

Slide 7: Spotlight – Dorsal Column-Medial Lemniscus (DCML)

• Tracts: Gracilis (lower limb) & Cuneatus (upper limb).
• Pathway: Dorsal root ganglion → ascend ipsilateral dorsal column → medulla (nucleus gracilis/cuneatus) → decussate as medial lemniscus → VPL thalamus → cortex.
• Function: Fine touch, vibration, conscious proprioception.
• Lesion: Ipsilateral loss of these modalities + sensory ataxia.

• Located laterally.
• Carries input from the upper limb and upper trunk (above T6).

The spinal cord is a vital part of the central nervous system, and it contains various tracts that facilitate communication between the brain and the rest of the body. The ascending tracts carry sensory information from the body to the brain, while the descending tracts carry motor signals from the brain to the body. ascending and descending tracts of spinal cord ppt