Substantia gelatinosa of Rolando
Encyclopedia
The apex of the posterior horn of the gray matter of the spinal cord
is capped by a V-shaped or crescentic mass of translucent, gelatinous neuroglia, termed the substantia gelatinosa of Rolando (or SGR) (or gelatinous substance of posterior horn of spinal cord), which contains both neuroglia cells, and small nerve cells. The gelatinous appearance is due to a very low concentration of myelinated fibers.
It is named after Luigi Rolando
.
It corresponds to Rexed lamina II & III.
being the other) where first order neurons of the spinothalamic tract
synapse.
Many μ- and к-opioid receptor
s, presynaptic and postsynaptic, are found on these nerve cells; they can be targeted to manage pain of distal origin.
C fibers terminate at this layer. Thus the cell bodies located here are part of the neural pathway conveying slowly conducting, poorly localized pain
sensation. However, some A delta fiber
s (carrying fast, localized pain sensation) also terminate in the substantia gelatinosa, mostly via axons passing through the area of the nucleus proprius
. So there is cross talk between the two pain pathways.
Spinal cord
The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular bundle of nervous tissue and support cells that extends from the brain . The brain and spinal cord together make up the central nervous system...
is capped by a V-shaped or crescentic mass of translucent, gelatinous neuroglia, termed the substantia gelatinosa of Rolando (or SGR) (or gelatinous substance of posterior horn of spinal cord), which contains both neuroglia cells, and small nerve cells. The gelatinous appearance is due to a very low concentration of myelinated fibers.
It is named after Luigi Rolando
Luigi Rolando
Luigi Rolando was an Italian anatomist.As a University of Turin professor, he devoted his life in studying brain anatomy.The Substantia gelatinosa of Rolando and the fissure of Rolando are named for him.-External links:*...
.
It corresponds to Rexed lamina II & III.
Function
The substantia gelatinosa is one point (the nucleus propriusNucleus proprius
The Nucleus proprius is a layer of the spinal cord adjacent to the substantia gelatinosa. Nucleus proprius constitutes the bulk of the dorsal horn and receives inputs from the dorsal root ganglions that carry sensory information, such as light touch, as well as pain and temperature information...
being the other) where first order neurons of the spinothalamic tract
Spinothalamic tract
The spinothalamic tract is a sensory pathway originating in the spinal cord. It transmits information to the thalamus about pain, temperature, itch and crude touch...
synapse.
Many μ- and к-opioid receptor
Opioid receptor
Opioid receptors are a group of G protein-coupled receptors with opioids as ligands. The endogenous opioids are dynorphins, enkephalins, endorphins, endomorphins and nociceptin. The opioid receptors are ~40% identical to somatostatin receptors...
s, presynaptic and postsynaptic, are found on these nerve cells; they can be targeted to manage pain of distal origin.
C fibers terminate at this layer. Thus the cell bodies located here are part of the neural pathway conveying slowly conducting, poorly localized pain
Pain
Pain is an unpleasant sensation often caused by intense or damaging stimuli such as stubbing a toe, burning a finger, putting iodine on a cut, and bumping the "funny bone."...
sensation. However, some A delta fiber
A delta fiber
A delta fibers, or Aδ fibers, are a type of sensory fiber.They are associated with cold and pressure, and as nociceptors stimulation of them is interpreted as fast/first pain information....
s (carrying fast, localized pain sensation) also terminate in the substantia gelatinosa, mostly via axons passing through the area of the nucleus proprius
Nucleus proprius
The Nucleus proprius is a layer of the spinal cord adjacent to the substantia gelatinosa. Nucleus proprius constitutes the bulk of the dorsal horn and receives inputs from the dorsal root ganglions that carry sensory information, such as light touch, as well as pain and temperature information...
. So there is cross talk between the two pain pathways.
External links
- Diagram at Washington University in St. LouisWashington University in St. LouisWashington University in St. Louis is a private research university located in suburban St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1853, and named for George Washington, the university has students and faculty from all fifty U.S. states and more than 110 nations...
