somatosensory systems overview

Question 1

dorsal column/medial lemniscal

Answer 1

Sense types: discriminative touch, proprioception, vibration, pressure
Location of 1st order cell bodies: DRG
Sensory homunculus location: postcentral gyrus
Thalamic nucleus: VPL

Question 2

spinothalamic

Answer 2

Sense types: diffuse light touch, fast pain, temperature
Location of 1st order cell bodies: DRG
Sensory homunculus location: postcentral gyrus
Thalamic nucleus:

Question 3

trigeminothalamic 1

Answer 3

Sense types: discriminative touch, proprioception, vibration, pressure
Location of 1st order cell bodies: trigeminal ganglion
Sensory homunculus location: primary somatosensory cortex (PCG)
Thalamic nucleus: VPM

Question 4

trigeminothalamic 2

Answer 4

Sense types: diffuse light touch, fast (sharp) pain, temperature
Location of 1st order cell bodies: trigeminal ganglion
Sensory homunculus location: somatosensory cortex (PCG)
Thalamic nucleus: VPM

Question 5

spinoreticular system

Answer 5

• C type fibers
• poorly localized, slow, burning pain
• no somatatopy
• centromedian nucleus of thalamus