Anterolateral spinothalamic track (pain pathway)

SENSATION CARRIED

• crude touch

• pain and temperature
  

PATHWAY

First-order neuron

• receptors enters the spinal cord through the dorsal horn and end in dorsal horn cell

Second-order neuron

• arises from dorsal horn

• crosses to the opposite side in front of the c entral canal

• they occupy the lateral and anterior part

• they end in the ventral posterolateral nucleus of the thalamus

Third-order neuron

• arises from the thalamus and ends in the sensory cortex (areas 3,1,2)

EFFECT OF LESION

• bilateral lesion - causes loss of crude touch in both sides

• unilateral lesion - loss of crude touch in the opposite side of lesion