What structure is associated with the decussation of the dorsal column?

The decussation of the dorsal column refers to the crossing over of the sensory pathways in the central nervous system, specifically involving the medial lemniscus pathway that conveys proprioception, vibratory sense, and fine touch from the body. This critical crossing occurs in the medulla oblongata, which is part of the brainstem.

In the medulla, the first-order neurons terminate in the nucleus gracilis and nucleus cuneatus, where their axons then cross to the opposite side, forming the medial lemniscus. This structure then ascends through the brainstem to eventually reach the thalamus and higher cortical centers. The importance of the medulla in this process is directly tied to its role as the site of decussation for these sensory pathways, making it a central hub for sensory information processing before it reaches the cortex.

The other structures mentioned do not serve this specific function. The white commissure is involved in the crossing of pain and temperature fibers but not in the dorsal column pathway. The tectum is related to visual and auditory reflexes and does not participate in the decussation of the dorsal column. The thalamus acts as a relay station for sensory information but does not mediate the crossing of the