In the spinal cord, the nucleus dorsalis of Clarke (Clark's column) is located at which lamina of Rexed, and what information does it relay?

• A Lamina II; pain and temperature for spinothalamic tract
• B Lamina IX; lower motor neuron axons for skeletal muscle
• C Lamina IV; crude touch and pressure for spinothalamic tract
• D Lamina VII; unconscious proprioception destined for ipsilateral cerebellum via posterior spinocerebellar tract ✓

Explanation

Clarke's nucleus (nucleus dorsalis) is located in Rexed lamina VII (intermediate zone), predominantly at C8–L2/L3 spinal levels. It receives muscle spindle and Golgi tendon organ afferents (Ia and Ib fibres) and projects ipsilaterally via the posterior (dorsal) spinocerebellar tract to the cerebellum, carrying unconscious proprioception. Lamina II is the substantia gelatinosa (pain modulation). Lamina IX contains alpha motor neurons. Lamina IV contributes to anterolateral (spinothalamic) pathways.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.