The dorsal horn is primarily associated with which function?

The dorsal horn is primarily associated with which function?

• A. Motor neurons
• B. Sympathetic preganglionic neurons
• C. Parasympathetic postganglionic neurons
• D. Sensory interneurons

Answer: (D)

The dorsal horn is where sensory information is processed. Sensory fibers from the body enter the spinal cord through the dorsal roots and mainly synapse in the dorsal horn onto interneurons or small projection neurons. These interneurons integrate signals related to touch, temperature, pain, and proprioception and decide how to relay that information up to the brain or to spinal reflex circuits. The ventral horn, by contrast, contains motor neurons that send commands to muscles, and the lateral horn houses sympathetic preganglionic neurons. So the dorsal horn’s primary role is processing and relaying sensory information via sensory interneurons.

The dorsal horn is where sensory information is processed. Sensory fibers from the body enter the spinal cord through the dorsal roots and mainly synapse in the dorsal horn onto interneurons or small projection neurons. These interneurons integrate signals related to touch, temperature, pain, and proprioception and decide how to relay that information up to the brain or to spinal reflex circuits. The ventral horn, by contrast, contains motor neurons that send commands to muscles, and the lateral horn houses sympathetic preganglionic neurons. So the dorsal horn’s primary role is processing and relaying sensory information via sensory interneurons.