Afferent Nerves to Clarke's and the Lateral Cuneate Nuclei in the Cat

It is generally stated that Clarke's nucleus extends from the upper thoracic to the upper lumbar portion of the spinal cord and that it is a relay nucleus between the hindlimb and lower trunk and the cerebellum. The lateral cuneate nucleus is likewise believed to be a relay nucleus between the forelimb and the cerebellum. In an earlier study (Liu,131954) on transneuronal degeneration, it was found that Clarke's nucleus receives an extensive supply from the dorsal roots of all body parts except the neck, and that the dorsal root terminals show an extensive overlap within the nucleus. These observations indicated that Clarke's nucleus is supplied by dorsal root afferents from the forelimb, as well as from the trunk and the hindlimb. The aims of the present study were (1) to determine the distribution and termination of representative dorsal roots from various body parts (neck, trunk, tail, and limbs)