Cuneate fasciculus

The cuneate fasciculus represents the first order neurons of the dorsal column medial leminiscal sensory pathway, that transmit the sensory information of vibration, conscious proprioception, and 2-point discrimination from the upper extremities (sparing the head). Consequently, the cuneate fasciculus is found at spinal segment level T6 and above only (while being absent in the lower spinal cord). The cuneate fasciculus ascends in the dorsal spinal cord and medulla to terminate by synapsing with the cuneate nuclei (in the cuneate tubercle).

Don’t confuse the cuneate fasciculus with the gracilis fasciculus, which also represents first order neurons of the dorsal column pathway, however, the gracile fasciculus differs as it transmits the same piece of information from the lower extremities. Consequently, the gracile fasciculus is found throughout the length of the spinal cord (including segment T6 and below). Furthermore, the gracile fasciculus stays medal to the cuneate fasciculus all the time as it ends up by synapsing with the gracile nuclei (in the gracile tubercle).

Both fasciculi–cuneate and gracile–are separated from each other by an intermediolateral sulcus.