What information does the anterior spinothalamic tract relay?

• A. Pressure and light touch
• B. Pain and temperature
• C. Vibration
• D. Proprioception

Answer: (A)

The anterior (ventral) spinothalamic tract carries crude touch and pressure. These are poorly localized sensations, so this pathway relays tactile information that tells you something touched or pressed you, but not exactly where or how hard. After entering the spinal cord, these fibers cross in the anterior white commissure and ascend contralaterally to the thalamus for perception. This sets it apart from the lateral spinothalamic tract, which handles pain and temperature, and from the dorsal columns, which carry vibration and proprioception. So the best answer is pressure and light touch.