Substantia gelatinosa of Rolando

The apex of the posterior horn of the spinal cord is capped by a V-shaped or crescentic mass of translucent, gelatinous neuroglia, termed the substantia gelatinosa of Rolando (or gelatinous substance of posterior horn of spinal cord), which contains both neuroglia cells, and small nerve cells. The gelatinous appearance is due to a very low concentration of myelinated fibers.

It is named for Luigi Rolando.

It corresponds to Rexed lamina II.

Function
Many μ- and к-opioid receptors, presynaptic and postsynaptic, are found on these nerve cells; they can be targeted to manage pain of distal origin.

C fibers terminate at this layer.