XXXVI.—The Middle Cells of the Grey Matter of the Spinal Cord.
Authors: Pirie J. H. Harvey 
Published: June 2016

The middle cells are present throughout the whole length of the spinal cord. They are situated in the middle region of the grey matter, between the free anterior and free posterior cornua; but they sometimes also extend into the regions usually occupied by the anterior cornual cells, by the intermedio-lateral tract or by Clarke's column. The small cells in the base of the anterior horn (scattered cells) cannot be sharply separated from the middle cells, nor can most of the small cells about the base of the free posterior horn.

Although some of the middle cells may be found in all this wide area of distribution at practically any level of the cord, there are certain arrangements of cells which may be looked upon as typical of each segment, or at least of each region of the cord. In the upper cervical region they are not on the whole very abundant (this differs from Waldeyer's account), but are best developed in the central and para-central fields. In the cervical enlargement they are much more numerous, particularly within a broad band extending from the formatio reticularis to about the anterior grey commissure. Throughout the dorsal region they are again comparatively few in number, and may be scattered irregularly; but small groups are often found, most commonly in the central area, about on a level with the central canal, and in the post-central area, between Clarke's column and the reticular group of the intermedio-lateral tract. In the lumbar segments the middle cells are abundant, particularly centrally and in the base of the anterior horn. Their field extends anteriorly, until in the lower sacral region they come to be found over the whole area of the anterior cornua in addition to their more usual situations.

At all levels, as studied in serial sections, the distribution of the middle cells is seemingly erratic and casual. No regular plan of arrangement can be made out, and there is most certainly no segmentation (as Argutinski described) like that so well seen in the intermedio-lateral tract. The cells are sometimes just dotted here and there singly; sometimes they are scattered fairly thickly and evenly over the whole or part of the regions they are to be found in; or, again, they may occur more thickly in one part, or be aggregated into a distinct little cell group or nest, but even then these cell groups are seldom so closely packed as are the cell groups of the intermedio-lateral tract. The duration of any one of these types of cell arrangement is inconstant; and although there are levels where cells seem for a bit to be almost persistent in one place, this much can be stated as a general rule, that no middle cell group lasts through more than a very few serial sections. If traced further, the group is found either to shift to some other area or to die out altogether. Occasionally there appears to be a variation in number of cells parallel with the oscillations of the intermedio-lateral tract, but closer study shows that this is by no means absolute, and is probably only a local accidental variation.

Without expressing any opinion as regards function, I am inclined to divide the cells I have described collectively as middle cells into three groups, basing this division merely on the distribution and arrangement of the cells and on the microscopic appearances of the cell bodies. These divisions are, however, not very sharply defined either as regards the character of the individual cells or in the cell distribution. Still they seem to warrant such a division being made, and to suggest at least that the cells of the three groups may be functionally different. The groups I would make are—

(1) The middle cells proper, or central cells, occurring chiefly in the central area of the grey matter. These cells are of medium size and very similar to those of the apical group of the intermedio-lateral tract, multipolar, polygonal or rounded polygonal in outline, with a comparatively large nucleus and a few chromatic granules round it in the cell substance. Sometimes scattered, but more often present as a small clump of cells. With them may be included the cells in the para-central area, which, although sometimes forming a distinct and separate aggregation of cells, can mostly not be separated off from the central cells. Many of the cells occurring in the reticular area at levels where the reticular group of the intermediolateral tract is not present (especially in the lower cervical region) may probably also be included here.

(2) Anterior central cells in the base of the anterior horn—one of Waldeyer's “scattered” cell groups. As this name implies, these are often simply scattered over the area in question, but sometimes they are gathered into small cell-nests, but rarely very compact ones. Although there is no sharp boundary between them posteriorly and the central cells, they are in the main larger cells, and are further distinguished by their shape. They are not so often definitely multipolar and of approximately equal diameter in different directions, but more frequently appear to be bipolar, with longdrawn-out processes. The axis of elongation may be variously oriented. With these would fall to be included the middle cells in the external central area of the lateral enlargements, particularly in the lumbo-sacral cord. Possibly also some of the para-central cells should be classed with this group, and not with the previous one.

(3) Post-central cells. These lie in the area between Clarke's column and the formatio-reticularis, or in the corresponding region of the grey matter at level where Clarke's column is unrepresented. As with the anterior central cell, there is no sharp boundary between this series and the central middle cells. They are often continuous, or the cells may lie betwixt and between the two areas. But although many of the posterior cells may be as large, they are distinguished on the whole by being smaller in size than the central cells and less definitely polygonal, more rounded in outline. They are generally present either as a small clump or as a band of cells on the outer and posterior aspects of Clarke's column. Posteriorly, it is very difficult to separate this group from the posteriorbasal and posterior-marginal cells of Waldeyer. With this group may be included cells present in the area of Clarke's column, particularly when that column is absent or only represented by occasional cells. Also some of the small cells found in the reticular formation, especially those lying between (vertically) the nuclei of the reticular group of the intermedio-lateral tract.

These subdivisions may require modification from subsequent investigations, particularly by tracing the course and termination of the cell processes. I have attempted to do this by means of Cajal's silver impregnation methods, but, so far, have not succeeded. All I can affirm is that the fibres arising from the middle cells run in a variety of directions to begin with; but as some could be traced far enough to be seen doubling more or less sharply upon themselves, this gives no real clue to their destination. In no case could I follow any one to a termination. In some cells them was observed an endo-cellular fibrillary network, similar to that in the large motor cells of the anterior horn. In this particular cord the following figures give approximate average diameter of the cells of the different groups:—

In conclusion, I have to express my thanks to Dr Alexander Bruce for suggesting this subject for a thesis; to Dr Theodore Shennan, in whose laboratory the preparation of the sections was carried out; to Mr Henry Wade for the use of micro-photographic apparatus; and lastly to the Carnegie Trust, since this thesis is part of work done under the terms of a grant from the Trust for original research.