Functional Organization of Dorsal Horn Interneurons

Abstract

Sensory processing in the spinal cord involves interactions among primary afferent fibers bearing information from sensory receptors, interneurons, ascending tract cells conveying sensory messages to the brain, and descending tract cells that modulate the activity in spinal cord circuits. Such interactions are complex and still poorly understood. In this chapter, the interactions between primary afferent fibers and spinal interneurons will be discussed. In Chapters 8–11, the organization of the ascending tracts will be considered. Chapter 12 includes an overview of the sensory channels and of the descending systems that control somatic sensation.