Organization of dorsal gray horn in the spinal cord of goat foetuses*

Abstract

Prenatal development of dorsal gray horn in goat was studied using 52 foetuses of various ages. By 48 days of gestation, gray matter with dorsal, ventral and lateral horns became distinguishable/ By third month of gestation, the dorsal horn differentiated an apex, head and cervix. The dorsal horn presented adult structure by fourth month, when it presented a marginal zone, the substantia gelatinosa, nucleus proprius, Clarke's column and reticular nucleus. The dorsal horn was narrow in thoracic segments and wider at enlargements. Lamina I appeared by third month. Lamina II appeared in the second month and was organised into form towards the end of third month. Lamina III appeared by the end of third month and by fifth month entered into substantia gelatinosa. Lamina IV was poorly defined and presented nucleus proprius. Lamina V appeared by second month with nucleus reticularis. Lamina VI was a broad layer by fourth month.