Spinothalamic tract

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== Spinothalamic Tract ==

The spinothalamic tract is a sensory pathway originating in the spinal cord and terminating in the thalamus. It is a part of the anterolateral system and is responsible for transmitting information about pain, temperature, and crude touch to the brain.

Anatomy

The spinothalamic tract is divided into two main components:

• The anterior spinothalamic tract, which carries information about crude touch and pressure.
• The lateral spinothalamic tract, which transmits pain and temperature sensations.

Pathway

The pathway of the spinothalamic tract involves several steps:

1. Sensory neurons in the dorsal root ganglion receive stimuli from peripheral receptors.
2. These neurons then synapse in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord.
3. The second-order neurons cross to the opposite side of the spinal cord through the anterior white commissure.
4. The fibers then ascend in the anterolateral quadrant of the spinal cord.
5. They continue to ascend through the brainstem, passing through the medulla oblongata, pons, and midbrain.
6. Finally, the fibers reach the thalamus, where they synapse with third-order neurons that project to the primary somatosensory cortex in the parietal lobe.

Function

The primary function of the spinothalamic tract is to convey sensory information related to:

• Pain
• Temperature
• Crude touch and pressure

This information is crucial for the body's ability to respond to harmful stimuli and maintain homeostasis.

Clinical Significance

Damage to the spinothalamic tract can result in a loss of pain and temperature sensation on the opposite side of the body below the level of the lesion. This condition is known as dissociated sensory loss. Common causes of damage include:

• Spinal cord injury
• Multiple sclerosis
• Syringomyelia

Related Pathways

The spinothalamic tract is part of the larger anterolateral system, which also includes the spinoreticular tract and the spinomesencephalic tract. These pathways work together to transmit various types of sensory information to the brain.

See Also

• Dorsal column-medial lemniscus pathway
• Somatosensory system
• Thalamus
• Spinal cord