The Anterolateral spinothalamic tract is responsible for?

• A. Pressure, crude touch, tickle, pain and temperature to the ipsilateral somatosensory cortex of the brain
• B. Fine touch and vibration to the contralateral cortex
• C. Motor commands to the spinal cord
• D. Autonomic regulation of posture

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that the anterolateral (spinothalamic) system carries sensory signals for pain, temperature, and crude touch from the body up to the brain. These signals cross to the opposite side of the spinal cord and then travel to the thalamus and onward to the somatosensory cortex, so the cortex receives contralateral input. This pathway also covers crude touch and pressure sensations, which is why the option listing pressure, crude touch, and pain and temperature fits the function of this tract. The other choices describe categories from other pathways: motor commands come from the corticospinal tract, autonomic/postural regulation isn’t a primary spinothalamic function, and fine touch/vibration are carried mainly by the dorsal columns. (Note: the actual input is represented contralaterally in the cortex, not ipsilaterally.)