GRAY MATTER OF THE CORD. 



349 



bello-spinal tract of the same side. The several dendrites of each 

 neurone ramify richly in the vicinity of the cell-body. Together 

 with the cell-bodies, the dendrites are in contact relation with 

 fibers of the posterior roots of the spinal nerves. The nucleus 

 dorsalis probably has to do with muscular tonicity and equilibrium, 

 chiefly. It is supposed to receive afferent sympathetic impulses 

 from the internal organs. 



Concerning the relation of the gray crescent to the spinal nerves 

 (Fig. 104), it may be remarked, here, that in the anterior columna 



Posterior root 



Posterior median fissure 



Fibers to medulla 



Anterior root 



Anterior median fissure 



Fig. 104. The roots of the spinal nerves. Diagrammatic. (Original.) 



Anterior root rises from medial, lateral and intermedio-lateral cells of same crescent and 

 from medial cells of opposite crescent: it is also connected with the opposite side by certain 

 dendrites. 



Posterior root terminates in gelatinous substance, in the center and base of the posterior 

 columna, in the intermedio-lateral column, and in the anterior columna of the same crescent ; 

 in the anterior and posterior columna of the opposite side ( ?) ; and in the nucleus f uniculi gra - 

 cilis or nucleus funiculi cuneati of the medulla oblongata. 



and center of the crescent are located the genetic nuclei of the 

 motor or efferent fibers (anterior roots) of the spinal nerves; 

 and that the terminal nuclei of the sensory fibers (posterior roots) 

 of the spinal nerves are located chiefly in the posterior columna, 

 but also in the center and anterior columna of the crescent in the 

 cord, and in the nucleus funiculi gracilis and nucleus funiculi 

 cuneati in the medulla oblongata. 



