It projects lateralward as a triangular field in the thoracic and upper lumbar regions of the postero-lateral part of the anterior column.

The anterior column (anterior cornu, anterior horn), directed forward, is broad and of a rounded or quadrangular shape.

The tectospinal, vestibulospinal and reticulospinal descend ipsilaterally in the anterior column but do not synapse across the anterior white commissure.

In the thoracic region, the postero-lateral part of the anterior column projects laterally as a triangular field, which is named the lateral column (columna lateralis; lateral cornu).

The anterior horn of the spinal cord (also called the anterior cornu, anterior column or ventral horn) is the ventral (front) grey matter section of the spinal cord.

Other prominent components of the anterior columns are the medial longitudinal fasciculus of the spinal cord, the anterior spinothalamic tract of the spinal cord and the lateral vestibulospinal tract of the spinal cord.

The lateral vestibular nucleus (LVN; Deiter's nucleus) has descending efferent fibers in the vestibulocochlear nerve distributed to the motor nuclei of the anterior column and exerts an excitatory influence on ipsilateral limb extensor motoneurons while suppressing flexor motoneurons.

The spinal root of accessory nerve (or part) is firm in texture, and its fibers arise from the motor cells in the lateral part of the anterior column of the gray substance of the medulla spinalis as low as the fifth cervical nerve.

It is characterized by loss of motor function below the level of injury, loss of sensations carried by the anterior columns of the spinal cord (pain and temperature), and preservation of sensations carried by the posterior columns (fine touch and proprioception).