School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
The Eccles Institute of Neuroscience, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
J Comp Neurol. 2021 Jan;529(1):187-220. doi: 10.1002/cne.24942. Epub 2020 Jun 26.
The dorsal column nuclei complex (DCN-complex) includes the dorsal column nuclei (DCN, referring to the gracile and cuneate nuclei collectively), external cuneate, X, and Z nuclei, and the median accessory nucleus. The DCN are organized by both somatotopy and modality, and have a diverse range of afferent inputs and projection targets. The functional organization and connectivity of the DCN implicate them in a variety of sensorimotor functions, beyond their commonly accepted role in processing and transmitting somatosensory information to the thalamus, yet this is largely underappreciated in the literature. To consolidate insights into their sensorimotor functions, this review examines the morphology, organization, and connectivity of the DCN and their associated nuclei. First, we briefly discuss the receptors, afferent fibers, and pathways involved in conveying tactile and proprioceptive information to the DCN. Next, we review the modality and somatotopic arrangements of the remaining constituents of the DCN-complex. Finally, we examine and discuss the functional implications of the myriad of DCN-complex projection targets throughout the diencephalon, midbrain, and hindbrain, in addition to their modulatory inputs from the cortex. The organization and connectivity of the DCN-complex suggest that these nuclei should be considered a complex integration and distribution hub for sensorimotor information.
背柱核复合体（DCN-complex）包括背柱核（DCN，指薄束核和楔束核的统称）、外楔束核、X 核、Z 核和中间副核。DCN 由躯体定位和模态组织，具有广泛的传入输入和投射靶标。DCN 的功能组织和连接暗示它们参与各种感觉运动功能，超出了它们在将躯体感觉信息处理和传递到丘脑方面的公认作用，但这在文献中很大程度上被低估了。为了整合对其感觉运动功能的认识，本综述检查了 DCN 及其相关核的形态、组织和连接。首先，我们简要讨论了将触觉和本体感觉信息传递到 DCN 的受体、传入纤维和途径。接下来，我们回顾了 DCN-complex 的其余成分的模态和躯体定位排列。最后，我们检查并讨论了 DCN-complex 投射靶标在间脑、中脑和后脑中的众多功能意义，以及它们来自皮质的调制输入。DCN-complex 的组织和连接表明，这些核应该被视为感觉运动信息的复杂整合和分布枢纽。
