Spinoreticular tract

Spinoreticular tract is a component of the ascending sensory pathways in the central nervous system. It is involved in the transmission of pain and temperature sensations from the periphery to the brain.

Etymology

The term "spinoreticular tract" is derived from "spino-", a prefix referring to the spinal cord, and "reticular", which refers to the reticular formation in the brainstem. The tract thus named because it carries information from the spinal cord to the reticular formation.

Anatomy

The spinoreticular tract originates in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, specifically in the laminae I, II, V, VI, and VII. From there, it ascends through the anterolateral quadrant of the spinal cord, crossing over to the opposite side at the level of entry. It then projects to the reticular formation in the brainstem.

Function

The primary function of the spinoreticular tract is to transmit pain and temperature sensations from the periphery to the brain. It does this by carrying nociceptive and thermoreceptive signals from the spinal cord to the reticular formation. The reticular formation then projects to the thalamus, which relays the information to the cerebral cortex for conscious perception.

Clinical significance

Damage to the spinoreticular tract can result in loss of pain and temperature sensation. This can occur as a result of spinal cord injury, stroke, or diseases such as multiple sclerosis or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

See also

• Spinothalamic tract
• Dorsal column–medial lemniscus pathway
• Pain and temperature