Marginal Cells

Wise Young · 10-23-2001, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Wise,

Great article. I have one question, though. I know very little about marginal cells, but I understand that they are sort of "odd beasts" in the cord that might fall outside of the guidelines that you lay down for sensory nerves. For instance, I've heard of an experiment where stimulating a single marginal cell caused pain on both sides of the body. Do you have any additional thoughts on where marginal cells fit in, or can you at least point me to a source where I can learn a little more?

David Berg

David,

After some searching, I finally found what the marginal cells that I think you were referring to. They must be the cells in the marginal layer (layer 1) of the substantia gelatinosa, mentioned in Gray's Anatomy http://www.bartleby.com/107/185.html, and in the following studies.

In any case, these cells do indeed project bilaterally to the gray matter in the spinal cord and also send axons up to the brainstem. They cross in the central gray matter above the central canal. Also, there are more crossing fibers after lesions of the spinal cord. It is not surprising that stimulation of these cells will produce sensations on both sides.

Wise.

http://carecure.rutgers.edu/spinewir...alCells01.html

[This message was edited by Wise Young on October 23, 2001 at 09:04 AM.]

David Berg · 10-23-2001, 06:45 PM

Wise, I must say I'm impressed. In response to one question asked out of sheer curiousity, you've turned up a summary of 30 years of research on the subject. Thank you!

As I understand it, (and I'll see if I can confirm this in the articles you found) marginal cells feed signals into the anterior cingulum, considered an emotional center in the brain. Basically, they seem to tell the brain that it had better decide what to do about the pain, but they carry little discrimitive information about the pain, such as information on the location of the pain. What I do understand about marginal cells is covered in a section of an article on PainOnline called Guessing at the Cause of Central Pain. Hopefully, with the great research that Wise has provided here, I'll be able to learn more and write a little more on anything I find that's relevant.

Once again Wise, my sincere thanks!

David

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10-23-2001, 06:45 PM	#2
David Berg Moderator Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 4,527	Wise, I must say I'm impressed. In response to one question asked out of sheer curiousity, you've turned up a summary of 30 years of research on the subject. Thank you! As I understand it, (and I'll see if I can confirm this in the articles you found) marginal cells feed signals into the anterior cingulum, considered an emotional center in the brain. Basically, they seem to tell the brain that it had better decide what to do about the pain, but they carry little discrimitive information about the pain, such as information on the location of the pain. What I do understand about marginal cells is covered in a section of an article on PainOnline called Guessing at the Cause of Central Pain. Hopefully, with the great research that Wise has provided here, I'll be able to learn more and write a little more on anything I find that's relevant. Once again Wise, my sincere thanks! David