Final answer:
The two parts that make up the dorsal column of the dorsal column-medial lemniscus pathway are the fasciculus gracilis and the fasciculus cuneatus. The fasciculus gracilis is medial and contains axons from the lower body, while the fasciculus cuneatus is lateral and comprises axons from the upper body and arms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Dorsal Column-Medial Lemniscus Pathway and Its Components:
The dorsal column-medial lemniscus pathway (DCML) is a key sensory pathway in the human nervous system that carries information about touch and proprioception to the brain. Within the posterior columns of the white matter of the spinal cord, the DCML is divided into two main tracts: the fasciculus gracilis and the fasciculus cuneatus. The fasciculus gracilis contains axons from the legs and lower body and is positioned medially. In contrast, the fasciculus cuneatus contains axons from the upper body and arms and is found laterally. These tracts are organized such that sensory fibers enter the dorsal column and arrange themselves according to their point of origin in the body: axons from lower body levels position medially, while those from higher levels are located laterally.