The spinothalamic system of the rat. I. Locations of cells of origin

Horseradish peroxidase retrograde transport has been used to locate neurons of the rat spinal cord and lower medulla that project to the thalamus. Eight groups of spinothalamic cells are identified, some of which are anatomically continuous with thalamically projecting groups in the lower medulla. Most of the groups are seen only at the highest cervical levels, and several of them have not been previously recognised as spinothalamic relays. They are marginal layer (M), ventral border of the substantia gelatinosa (SGv), neck of the dorsal horn (N), lateral cervical nucleus (LCN), ventromedial portion of the dorsal horn (DHvm), intermediate gray zone (IGZ), dorsal portion of the ventral horn (VHd), and ventral portion of the ventral horn (VHv). Most of the cell bodies are contralateral to their thalamic terminations; only the VHd group is ipsilateral. The major finding conflicts with traditional concepts of the spinothalamic system, and concerns the rostrocaudal distribution of the cells of origin. With the sole exception of the DHvm group, the great majority of the thalamically projecting neurons of the rat are confined to the most rostral spinal levels (medulla/cord junction through C4). Below C4, most of the spinothalamic cells are concentrated in a single DHvm group between levels T9 and L4, probably concerned with hindlimb proprioception. The spinothalamic groups at high cervical levels may be relays for information ascending from lower regions. This might help to explain why, in man, surgical destruction of fibres crossing the midline in a single high cervical segment can cause a loss of pain sensation over most of the body.