The intermediate column contains sensory, sympathetic and parasympathetic nuclei, including:

Dorsal nucleus of Clarke - Clarke's column, posterior thoracic nucleus - sensory nucleus located close to the base of the dorsal horn; it is found from the C8 to L2 / L3 spinal cord levels; it is a part of the posterior spinocerebellar tract, and it transmits the unconscious proprioceptive information to the cerebellum; however, some authors describe it as a nucleus of the dorsal horn, because it is located almost in between the intermediate column and dorsal horn;
Intermediomedial nucleus - sympathetic nucleus situated anterior to the previous nucleus in the medial aspect of the intermediate column; it is found from the T1 to L2 / L3 spinal cord segments, and it carries sensory information from the internal organs; contains preganglionic sympathetic neurons;
Intermediolateral nucleus - sympathetic nucleus located anterior and lateral to the dorsal nucleus of Clarke in the lateral aspect of the intermediate column; it is found in the thoracic (T1 - T12) and first two to three lumbar (L1 - L3) segments, and it transmits sensory information from the internal organs; contains preganglionic sympathetic nerve cells;
Sacral parasympathetic nucleus - parasympathetic nucleus found within the S2 to S4 segments of the spinal cord; contains parasympathetic preganglionic nerve cells.

Note: Proprioception is an ability to sense the position of the body, movements and actions of various body parts perceived in conscious and unconscious levels. The proprioceptors are located in the active and passive components of the movement apparatus - skeletal muscles, tendons, bursae, ligaments, skin and subcutaneous tissues. White matter tracts that carry information about conscious proprioception go to the cerebrum, while pathways that transmit unconscious proprioception end in the cerebellum.

Unlock with Premium

Nuclei of intermediate column of spinal cord