Identify the statement correctly describing the function of the anatomical structure indicated by the blue arrow in the following image:
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Options:
explanation: The image shows a stained prosection of the spinal cord at the C5 cervical level, with the ventral horn and ventral white columns towards the bottom of the image and the dorsal horns and the dorsal white columns towards the top of the image. Light touch and pressure impulses from the body are carried by the anterior spinothalamic tracts in the anterior white matter columns of the spinal cord. However, the blue arrow points to the fasciculus gracilis, one of the ascending tracts of the dorsal columns. The function of the fasciculus gracilis is to carry proprioceptive and vibratory impulses from the lower limb to the thalamus in the brain.
name: Carries light touch and pressure impulses from the upper limbs
label: d
answer: no
explanation: The image shows a stained prosection of the spinal cord at the C5 cervical level, with the ventral horn and ventral white columns towards the bottom of the image and the dorsal horns and the dorsal white columns towards the top of the image. Nociceptive and thermal impulses from the body are carried by the lateral spinothalamic tracts bilaterally, which are located in the lateral white matter columns of the spinal cord. However, the blue arrow points to the fasciculus gracilis, one of the ascending tracts of the dorsal columns. The function of the fasciculus gracilis is to carry proprioceptive and vibratory impulses from the lower limb to the thalamus in the brain.
name: Carries nociceptive and thermal impulses from the lower limbs
label: c
answer: no
explanation: The image shows a stained prosection of the spinal cord at the C5 cervical level, with the ventral horn and ventral white columns towards the bottom of the image and the dorsal horns and the dorsal white columns towards the top of the image. The blue arrow points to the fasciculus gracilis, one of the ascending tracts of the dorsal columns. It can be differentiated from the cuneate fasciculus by its position, which is more medial compared to that of the cuneate fasciculus. The function of the fasciculus gracilis is to carry proprioceptive and vibratory impulses from the lower limb to the thalamus in the brain.
name: Carries proprioceptive and vibratory impulses from the lower limbs
label: a
answer: yes
explanation: The image shows a stained prosection of the spinal cord at the C5 cervical level, with the ventral horn and ventral white columns towards the bottom of the image and the dorsal horns and the dorsal white columns towards the top of the image. Proprioceptive and vibratory impulses from the upper limbs are carried by the cuneate fasciculus, the ascending tract of the dorsal column, which runs more lateral compared to that indicated by the arrow. However, the blue arrow points to the fasciculus gracilis, one of the ascending tracts of the dorsal columns. The function of the fasciculus gracilis is to carry proprioceptive and vibratory impulses from the lower limb to the thalamus in the brain.
name: Carries proprioceptive and vibratory impulses from the upper limbs
label: b
answer: no
explanation: The image shows a stained prosection of the spinal cord at the C5 cervical level, with the ventral horn and ventral white columns towards the bottom of the image and the dorsal horns and the dorsal white columns towards the top of the image. Voluntary motor commands from the primary motor cortex to the spinal cord are carried through the corticospinal tracts, which descend through the anterior and lateral white matter columns of the spinal cord. However, the blue arrow points to the fasciculus gracilis, one of the ascending tracts of the dorsal columns. The function of the fasciculus gracilis is to carry proprioceptive and vibratory impulses from the lower limb to the thalamus in the brain.
name: Carries voluntary motor commands from the primary motor cortex to the spinal cord
label: e
answer: no

Correct answer: a