The Anterolateral System Pain and Temperature Transmision

The Anterolateral System is an ascending pathway conveying pain and temperature sensation. Cell bodies of the primary sensory neurons reside in the dorsal root ganglia and the trigeminal complex. This pathway receives input from thermoreceptors, nociceptors, and mechanoreceptors.

Getting into the Spinal Cord Primary axons synapse in Rexed layers I-IV of the dorsal horn Secondary axons cross in the anterior white column to form the anterolateral tract.

Sensation from the face Pain and temperature sensation from the face are conveyed from fibers in the spinal trigeminal complex. These fibers cross in the brain stem and join the anterolateral tract.

Connections in the brain stem ALT axons distribute to the reticular formation, central gray substance, and finally the intralaminar and posterior thalamus The neospinothalamic tract distributes somatotopically in the ventral posterior thalamus: VPL - Leg, Trunk, Arms VPM - Face

To the Cortex From the VPL and the VPM of the thalamus, the fibers extend to the primary sensory cortex

Primary Sensory Cortex Sensory information from the ALS eventually terminates on the postcentral gyrus of the brain.

The Homunculus! The arrangement of fibers correlates to their entry into the spinal cord. Legs, feet, ankles Shoulder, arms, abdomen Hand (large thumb) Face Tongue

And Now for the Movie…..