Lateral motor nuclei of spinal nerves

Nuclei motorii laterales nervorum spinalium

Definition

Muhammad A. Javaid

The lateral motor nuclei of spinal nerves, situated in the anterior gray horn of the spinal cord, are vital for innervating limb musculature. They are most prominent in the cervical (C5–T1) and lumbosacral (L1–S3) regions, aligning with the cervical and lumbosacral enlargements. Efferent motor neurons from these nuclei innervate limb muscles via the brachial and lumbosacral plexuses, enabling precise motor control of the upper and lower limbs.

References

  • Snell, R.S. (2010). ‘Chapter 4: The Spinal Cord and the Ascending and Descending Tracts’, in Clinical Neuroanatomy. (7th ed.) Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, pp. 137-142.