For monitoring, stimulation of the spinal cord to elicit MEPs is most useful for which function?

Stimulation of the spinal cord to elicit motor evoked potentials (MEPs) is primarily used to assess anterior spinal cord function. The anterior part of the spinal cord is predominantly responsible for the motor pathways, particularly the corticospinal tract, which is crucial for voluntary movement. By stimulating this region, you can obtain MEPs that indicate the integrity of these motor pathways and provide valuable information regarding the patient's motor function during surgical procedures.

In contrast, functions related to the dorsal columns, which are primarily responsible for proprioception and fine touch, are not assessed through MEPs, as these modalities run through different pathways that do not emphasize motor function. Additionally, stimulation does not directly test peripheral nerve function since peripheral nerves extend beyond the spinal cord, and evoked potentials in this context would not reflect spinal cord integrity. Lastly, while ascending spinal cord tracts are involved in sensory processing, they are not the focus of assessments done through MEPs, as MEPs specifically indicate motor capabilities rather than sensory pathways.