The gracile nucleus in the medulla receives first-order neurons from which spinal cord levels?

• A C1–T6 (upper limb and upper trunk)
• B All cervical levels only
• C All thoracic and lumbar levels equally
• D T6 and below (lower limb and lower trunk) ✓

Explanation

The gracile nucleus (nucleus gracilis) receives proprioception, vibration, and discriminative touch from T6 and below via the gracile fasciculus (fasciculus gracilis). The cuneate nucleus receives the same modalities from T6 and above (upper limb and upper trunk) via the cuneate fasciculus. This somatotopic arrangement means lower limb sensations are medially placed in the dorsal columns.

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

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.