In neuroanatomy, the dorsal column nuclei are a pair of nuclei in the dorsal columns in the brainstem. The name refers collectively to the cuneate nucleus and gracile nucleus, which are present at the bottom of the medulla oblongata. Both nuclei contain second-order neurons of the dorsal column–medial lemniscus pathway, which carries fine touch and proprioceptive information from the body to the brain. Fibres reach the thalamus.