The white matter of each half of the spinal cord is divided into 3 parts. The posterior (dorsal) funiculi carry ascending somatosensory information and are also called the posterior (dorsal) columns and also are often termed the ‘medial lemniscal pathway’ or the ‘lemniscal system’. These posterior funiculus are separated from the lateral funiculus by the posterolateral sulcus (posterior root entry zone). The lateral funiculus has both ascending and descending pathways and is (somewhat imprecisely) separated from the anterior funiculus (which has mostly descending/motor tracts) by the anterior root exit zone.
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