Final answer:
The nucleus gracilis is a medullary nucleus in the brain that receives and processes sensory information from the lower body and legs. It is part of the dorsal column system and plays a crucial role in transmitting sensory signals to the cerebral cortex.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nucleus gracilis is a medullary nucleus in the brain that is part of the dorsal column system. It is responsible for receiving and processing sensory information specifically from the lower body and legs. The axons from the dorsal column terminate in the nucleus gracilis, where they synapse with the second neuron in their pathway.
The nucleus gracilis then projects its axons to the thalamus, where they synapse with the third neuron. Finally, the third neuron sends its axons to the postcentral gyrus of the cerebral cortex, where the conscious perception of the sensory stimulus occurs.