substantia gelatinosa

anatomy

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 14, 2026

Quick Summary

The substantia gelatinosa is a layer of gray matter in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. It plays a crucial role in processing pain signals. Specifically, it receives input from A delta and C fibers, which transmit pain and noxious stimuli. This region acts as a "gate" that modulates the intensity of pain signals before they are relayed to other parts of the brain for conscious perception. The substantia gelatinosa is part of a larger neural mechanism that influences how we experience pain.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

pain
Physiology of pain
…in the marginal zone and substantia gelatinosa of the gray matter of the spinal cord. That area is responsible for regulating and modulating the incoming impulses. Two different pathways, the spinothalamic and spinoreticular tracts, transmit impulses to the brainstem and thalamus. Spinothalamic input is thought to effect the conscious sensation…
Read More
…in the marginal zone and substantia gelatinosa of the gray matter of the spinal cord. That area is responsible for regulating and modulating the incoming impulses. Two different pathways, the spinothalamic and spinoreticular tracts, transmit impulses to the brainstem and thalamus. Spinothalamic input is thought to effect the conscious sensation…
Read More