The dorsal (posterior) horn of the spinal cord contains sensory nuclei, which receive sensory impulses from the dorsal root ganglion and further participate in transmitting the signals to the brain. The sensory nuclei of the posterior horn include the following:

Marginal zone with marginal nuclei (posteromarginal nuclei) - a thin layer of nuclei found in all spinal cord segments and located at the tip of the dorsal horn; they receive sensory information about pain and temperature;
Substantia gelatinosa (Rolando's gelatinous substance) - lies next to the marginal nuclei and is also present at all spinal cord levels; it transmits pain, temperature and light touch impulses to the brain, and it is a second-order neuron of the anterior and lateral spinothalamic tracts;
Nucleus proprius - found at all levels of the spinal cord and located within the central part of the dorsal horn below the substantia gelatinosa; it combines sensory information of light touch, pain and temperature.

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Nuclei of dorsal horn