The research in neurosurgery that is based on anatomy encompasses several key areas such as neurosurgical approaches, neuroimaging, and anatomical mapping. Similarly, challenges related to specific neurosurgical procedures involve areas like stereotactic neurosurgery, microsurgical anatomy, neuroendoscopic anatomy, and individual variations of anatomical structures.1 Consequently, accurate definitions of nervous system structures are essential for guiding future research in this domain. Moreover, anatomical mapping stands out as a crucial tool for identifying both commonalities and distinctions across species within the realm of comparative anatomy research.

Throughout history, numerous researchers have identified several cell groups in the spinal cord, such as the central cervical nucleus, dorsal nucleus, and sacral parasympathetic nucleus. Unlike these, the lateral cervical (LatC) and lateral spinal nuclei (LSp) are uniquely situated within the white matter rather than the gray matter.2 The characterizations of LatC and LSp, as found in the spinal cords of many mammals, have been sustained over time thanks to the foundational work of past researchers. The historical narrative of these nuclei is marked by diverse techniques and evolving definitions employed in the research focused on them. This article aims to trace the development and clarification of the definitions of LatC and LSp within a historical framework.