spinothalamic tract

A large ascending bundle in the lateral funiculus of the spinal cord. Origin: - nerve fibers arise from neurons in the posterior horn of the spinal cord at all levels Course: - the nerve fibers cross at their level of origin in the white commissure Innervation: The column contains fibers projecting to the: 1) thalamus (10-20% of fibers) a) ventral posterior nucleus b) intralaminar nuclei 2) reticular formation 3) hypothalamus 4) accessory-olivary nucleus 5) periaqueductal gray matter (mesencephalon) 6) intermediate layers of the superior colliculus Function: - the fibers convey impulses associated with pain & temperature & tactile sensation

References

Stedman's Medical Dictionary 27th ed, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 1999

Component-of

medulla mesencephalon (midbrain) pons spinal cord (spinal marrow)