(lem-nis'kŭs , lem-nis'kī‵, lem-nis'kē‵)

Plural: lemnisci

[L. lemniscus, pendent ribbon, fr. Gr. lēmniskos, a ribbon]

An axon tract originating in secondary sensory nuclei and conducting signals toward the cortex via the thalamus.

lateral l.An axon tract originating in the cochlear nuclei and ascending to synapse in the inferior colliculi; axons from the inferior colliculi ascend to synapse in the medial geniculate nucleus of the thalamus. This lemniscus is a middle link in the circuit carrying auditory information to the auditory cortex (Heschl's gyrus).

medial l.An axon tract originating in the cuneate and gracile nuclei and ascending to the ventral posterior nucleus of the thalamus. This lemniscus is a middle link in the circuit carrying fine touch, conscious proprioception and vibratory sense information from the body to the primary sensory cortex.

trigeminal l.An axon tract originating in the principal and spinal trigeminal nuclei and ascending alongside the medial lemniscus to the ventral posterior nucleus of the thalamus. This lemniscus is a middle link in the circuit carrying somatic sensory information from the face to the primary sensory cortex. SYN: trigeminothalamic tract.