{"id":3556,"date":"2023-09-06T14:01:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-06T14:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/?p=3556"},"modified":"2025-10-01T11:39:34","modified_gmt":"2025-10-01T19:39:34","slug":"usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-spinal-cord-structure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-spinal-cord-structure","title":{"rendered":"USMLE\u00ae Step 1 Question of the Day: Spinal cord structure"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">In This Article<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-spinal-cord-structure\/#The_correct_answer_to_todays_USMLE%C2%AE_Step_1_Question_is%E2%80%A6\" >The correct answer to today&#8217;s USMLE\u00ae Step 1 Question is&#8230;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-spinal-cord-structure\/#E_Transmission_of_vibratory_sensation\" >E. Transmission of vibratory sensation<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-spinal-cord-structure\/#Incorrect_answer_explanations\" >Incorrect answer explanations<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-spinal-cord-structure\/#A_Inhibition_of_extensor_motor_neurons\" >A. Inhibition of extensor motor neurons<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-spinal-cord-structure\/#B_Transmission_of_pain_signals_to_the_brain\" >B. Transmission of pain signals to the brain<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-spinal-cord-structure\/#C_Initiation_of_voluntary_hand_movements\" >C. Initiation of voluntary hand movements<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-spinal-cord-structure\/#D_Conduction_of_temperature_sensation\" >D. Conduction of temperature sensation<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-spinal-cord-structure\/#Main_Explanation\" >Main Explanation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-spinal-cord-structure\/#Major_Takeaway\" >Major Takeaway<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-spinal-cord-structure\/#i\" >________________________<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>Learn how a skilled pathologist meticulously analyzes cross-sectional slides of the spinal cord, uncovering the significance behind the asterisk-marked structure. Discover the intricate functions woven into this essential neural component. Eager to delve deeper? Find out more about the fascinating realm of neural anatomy, unraveling the complexities that define spinal cord intricacies.<\/strong><\/em><strong><em><br><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A pathologist views cross-sectional slides of the spinal cord and identifies the following structure (denoted by an asterisk):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"522\" height=\"380\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/pathological-view-of-spinal-cord.png\" alt=\"pathological view of the spinal cord\" class=\"wp-image-3559\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/pathological-view-of-spinal-cord.png 522w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/pathological-view-of-spinal-cord.png?resize=300,218 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 522px) 100vw, 522px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Image reproduced from&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:1313_Spinal_Cord_Cross_Section.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wikimedia Commons<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Which of the following best characterizes the function of this structure?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A. Inhibition of extensor motor neurons<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>B. Transmission of pain signals to the brain<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>C. Initiation of voluntary hand movements<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>D. Conduction of temperature sensation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>E. Transmission of vibratory sensation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Scroll down for the correct answer!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_correct_answer_to_todays_USMLE%C2%AE_Step_1_Question_is%E2%80%A6\"><\/span>The correct answer to today&#8217;s USMLE\u00ae Step 1 Question is&#8230;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"E_Transmission_of_vibratory_sensation\"><\/span>E. Transmission of vibratory sensation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before we get to the Main Explanation, let&#8217;s look at the incorrect answer explanations. Skip to the bottom if you want to see the correct answer right away!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Incorrect_answer_explanations\"><\/span>Incorrect answer explanations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Inhibition_of_extensor_motor_neurons\"><\/span>A. Inhibition of extensor motor neurons<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Incorrect:<\/strong>&nbsp;The rubrospinal tract facilitates flexor and inhibits extensor motor neurons. However, the rubrospinal tract is located in the lateral white column instead of the dorsal white column.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"B_Transmission_of_pain_signals_to_the_brain\"><\/span>B. Transmission of pain signals to the brain<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Incorrect:<\/strong>&nbsp;The spinothalamic tract relays pain, temperature, crude touch, and pressure sensations to the brain. The spinothalamic tract is located within the anterior and lateral portions of the spinal cord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"C_Initiation_of_voluntary_hand_movements\"><\/span>C. Initiation of voluntary hand movements<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Incorrect:<\/strong>&nbsp;The corticospinal tract facilitates voluntary motor control of the trunk and extremities. The fibers of the corticospinal pathway can be found in the anterior and lateral portions of the spinal cord. In contrast, the asterisk is located within the dorsal white column, which houses the dorsal column medial lemniscus tract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"D_Conduction_of_temperature_sensation\"><\/span>D. Conduction of temperature sensation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Incorrect:<\/strong>&nbsp;The spinothalamic tract relays pain, temperature, crude touch, and pressure sensations to the brain. The spinothalamic tract is located in the anterior and lateral portions of the spinal cord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Main_Explanation\"><\/span><strong>Main Explanation<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The asterisk points to the dorsal column medial lemniscus tract, one of the three main ascending tracts in the spinal cord. The other two tracts are the spinothalamic tract and spinocerebellar tract. All three tracts enter the spinal cord via the dorsal root.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The dorsal column medial lemniscus (DCML) tract transmits delicate sensations, including vibration, proprioception, two-point discrimination, and touch to the brain. Neurons in this tract ascend via the ipsilateral dorsal columns and decussate (crossover) within the nucleus gracilis and cuneatus of the medulla.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The spinothalamic tract transmits sensations, including crude touch, pain, pressure, and temperature to the brain. Neurons ascend ipsilaterally for 1-2 spinal segments, decussate in the anterior white commissure, and ascend via one of two tracts in the anterior or lateral spinal cord.Finally, there is the spinocerebellar tract, which transmits unconscious proprioceptive sensations to the brain. After entering the spinal cord, the neurons either decussate immediately and become part of the ventral spinocerebellar tract (which later decussates again in the superior cerebellar peduncle) or ascend ipsilaterally as the dorsal spinocerebellar tract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"664\" height=\"370\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/ascending-tracks.png?w=664\" alt=\"image of the three main ascending tracts in the spinal cord\" class=\"wp-image-3558\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/ascending-tracks.png 664w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/ascending-tracks.png?resize=300,167 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 664px) 100vw, 664px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Major_Takeaway\"><\/span>Major Takeaway<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The&nbsp;<strong>dorsal column medial lemniscus&nbsp;<\/strong>(DCML) tract ascends in the&nbsp;<strong>ipsilateral dorsal column<\/strong>&nbsp;and decussates within the nucleus gracilis and cuneatus of the medulla. It relays sensations, including vibration, proprioception, two-point discrimination, and touch to the brain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"i\"><\/span><strong><em>________________________<\/em><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>Want more USMLE\u00ae Step 1 practice questions? Try Osmosis today! Access your&nbsp;<em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/login?type=create\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">free trial<\/a><\/strong><\/em>&nbsp;and find out why millions of current and future clinicians and caregivers love learning with us.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/ultimate-guide\/usmle-step-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/the-ultimate-guide-usmle-step-1-banner.png?w=700\" alt=\"The Ultimate Guide to the USMLE Step 1: Everything you need to know\" class=\"wp-image-760\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/the-ultimate-guide-usmle-step-1-banner.png 700w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/the-ultimate-guide-usmle-step-1-banner.png?resize=300,107 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sub>The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE\u00ae) is a joint program of the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB\u00ae) and National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME\u00ae). Osmosis is not affiliated with NBME nor FSMB.\u00a0<\/sub><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn how a skilled pathologist meticulously analyzes cross-sectional slides of the spinal cord, uncovering the significance behind the asterisk-marked structure. Discover the intricate functions woven into this essential neural component. Eager to delve deeper? Find out more about the fascinating realm of neural anatomy, unraveling the complexities that define spinal cord intricacies. A pathologist views [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":202,"featured_media":3557,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[27,20,1369,44],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3556","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-medicine","category-exam-prep","category-step-1-questions","category-step-1"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>USMLE\u00ae Step 1 Question of the Day: Spinal cord structure - Osmosis Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/usmle-step-1-question-of-the-day-spinal-cord-structure\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"USMLE\u00ae Step 1 Question of the Day: Spinal cord structure - Osmosis Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn how a skilled pathologist meticulously analyzes cross-sectional slides of the spinal cord, uncovering the significance behind the asterisk-marked structure. 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