The term intermediate gray column refers to one of three parts of the spinal central gray subdivided on the basis of topology. It is located between the other two parts, the anterior gray column and the posterior gray column. In cross sections of the the spinal cord the intermediate zone appears as a horizontal band extending the width of the H-shaped spinal central gray at the level of the crossbar of the H. It contains all of the cytoarchitecturally defined lamina X and most of lamina VII ( Carpenter-1983 ). In the functional model of central nervous system organization it is classified as part of the subcortical somatosensory system ( Swanson-2004 ) (see models Where It Appears below).