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Related Concept Videos

Major Somatic Sensory Pathways01:28

Major Somatic Sensory Pathways

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Sensory impulses related to touch, pressure, vibration, and proprioception from various body parts, such as the limbs, trunk, neck, and posterior head, travel to the cerebral cortex through the posterior column-medial lemniscus pathway. The pathway’s name derives from the two white-matter tracts that convey the impulses: the spinal cord's posterior column and the brainstem's medial lemniscus. First-order sensory neurons extend their axons into the spinal cord, forming the...
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Overview of Somatic Sensory Pathways01:29

Overview of Somatic Sensory Pathways

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Somatic sensory or somatosensory pathways refer to the neural pathways that carry information related to touch, pressure, pain, temperature, and proprioception from the skin, muscles, tendons, and joints to the brain. These pathways involve several stages of processing and integration of sensory information.
The somatosensory system is divided into three main pathways: the dorsal (or posterior) column-medial lemniscus, spinothalamic (or anterolateral), and spinocerebellar pathways.
The dorsal...
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Somatosensation01:33

Somatosensation

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The somatosensory system relays sensory information from the skin, mucous membranes, limbs, and joints. Somatosensation is more familiarly known as the sense of touch. A typical somatosensory pathway includes three types of long neurons: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Primary neurons have cell bodies located near the spinal cord in groups of neurons called dorsal root ganglia. The sensory neurons of ganglia innervate designated areas of skin called dermatomes.
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Spinal Cord: Information Processing01:10

Spinal Cord: Information Processing

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The spinal cord is an integral hub for motor and sensory information that enables the brain to communicate with the peripheral nervous system (PNS). This communication consists of relaying sensory data and transmission of motor commands.
Sensory Information Processing
Sensory information processing begins at the sensory receptors located in the skin and other tissues, which detect somatic sensory stimuli such as touch, temperature, or pain. These receptors function as catalysts, initiating...
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Spinal Cord: Cross-sectional Anatomy01:16

Spinal Cord: Cross-sectional Anatomy

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The cross-sectional anatomy of the spinal cord offers a detailed view of its complex structure and function within the central nervous system. At the core of the spinal cord lies the gray matter, characterized by its butterfly or "H"-shaped appearance in cross-section. This central region is enveloped by white matter, with the overall structure divided into symmetrical halves by the dorsal median sulcus and the ventral median fissure.
Gray Matter and its Components
Central to the gray matter is...
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Sympathetic Pathways: Sympathetic Chain Ganglia01:20

Sympathetic Pathways: Sympathetic Chain Ganglia

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The sympathetic chain ganglia, also known as the sympathetic trunk ganglia or paravertebral ganglia, are a series of ganglia located bilaterally on either side of the spinal column. These ganglia serve as relay stations for the sympathetic nervous system. Preganglionic neurons originating in the spinal cord project their axons to the sympathetic chain ganglia. Within the ganglia, these preganglionic fibers synapse with postganglionic neurons.The postganglionic neurons of the sympathetic trunk...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 3, 2025

Using Facial Electromyography to Assess Facial Muscle Reactions to Experienced and Observed Affective Touch in Humans
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Parallel ascending spinal pathways for affective touch and pain.

Seungwon Choi1, Junichi Hachisuka2,3,4, Matthew A Brett1

  • 1Department of Neurobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

Nature
|October 29, 2020
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Two distinct spinal cord projection neuron populations, identified by TACR1 and GPR83 expression, form parallel pathways for pain and touch signals. These pathways reveal distinct roles in sensory processing and affective behaviors.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Sensory Biology
  • Pain Research

Background:

  • The anterolateral pathway transmits pain, temperature, and touch signals from the spinal cord to the brain.
  • Understanding its organization is crucial for developing effective pain treatments.
  • Projection neurons in this pathway are key therapeutic targets.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the organizational logic of the anterolateral pathway.
  • To identify distinct neuronal populations and their roles in sensory processing.
  • To investigate the contribution of these pathways to affective aspects of touch and pain.

Main Methods:

  • Identification of projection neuron populations expressing TACR1 and GPR83.
  • Tracing of spinoparabrachial (SPB) neuron projections to the lateral parabrachial nucleus.
  • Optogenetic stimulation of SPB neuron axon terminals.
  • Electrophysiological recordings of SPB neuron responses to stimuli.

Main Results:

  • Two parallel ascending circuit modules, expressing TACR1 and GPR83, were identified.
  • These modules convey thermal, tactile, and noxious cutaneous signals.
  • SPB neurons expressing GPR83 are sensitive to mechanical stimuli and show intensity-dependent valence.
  • Distinct subnuclei innervation and behavioral responses were observed upon stimulation.

Conclusions:

  • The anterolateral pathway comprises distinct SPB neuron subdivisions based on TACR1 and GPR83 expression.
  • These subdivisions exhibit unique anatomical, physiological, and functional properties.
  • Findings shed light on the neural basis of affective touch and pain perception.