Cuneate nucleus
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Overview
One of the dorsal column nuclei, the cuneate nucleus is a wedge-shaped nucleus in the closed part of the medulla oblongata. It contains cells that give rise to the cuneate tubercle, visible on the posterior aspect of the medulla. It lies laterally to the gracile nucleus and medial to the spinal trigeminal nucleus in the medulla.
Function
The cuneate nucleus is part of dorsal column-medial lemniscus system, carrying fine touch and proprioceptive information to the thalamus and cerebellum.
Pathology
It may be affected by vitamin E deficiency exhibiting neuroaxonal swelling.