What is the dorsal column-medial lemniscal pathway responsible for?

• A. Conscious proprioception, pressure, vibration, and fine touch to the contralateral somatosensory cortex of the brain
• B. Conscious proprioception and crude touch to the ipsilateral cortex
• C. Pain and temperature to the contralateral cortex
• D. Autonomic regulation of posture

Answer: (A)

Conscious proprioception and fine touch are carried by the dorsal column-medial lemniscal pathway. Signals for body position, vibration, and discriminative touch travel up the dorsal columns on the same side of the spinal cord, cross to the opposite side in the medulla, then proceed to the ventral posterior lateral nucleus of the thalamus and finally reach the primary somatosensory cortex. Because the crossing happens in the brainstem, these sensations are represented in the contralateral cortex. This pathway does not carry pain or temperature, which go via the spinothalamic tract, nor does it primarily regulate autonomic posture. So the description that fits best is conscious proprioception and fine touch to the contralateral cortex, including vibration and related discriminative touch like pressure.