Sensory Pathways and Their Functions

The video discusses the dorsal column medial lemniscus pathway, a sensory pathway for fine touch, two-point discrimination, and proprioception. It explains the three neuron chain involved in transmitting sensory information from the body to the brain, highlighting the roles of the spinal cord, medulla, thalamus, and somatosensory cortex. The video compares this pathway with the pain and temperature pathway, known as the spinothalamic pathway, and explains the implications of spinal cord lesions on sensory perception, emphasizing the differences in how touch and pain signals are processed.

What is the primary function of the dorsal column medial lemniscus pathway?

• To control motor functions

• To sense pain and temperature

• To regulate autonomic functions

• To sense fine touch and proprioception

How many neurons are involved in the sensory pathways to the brain?

• One

• Two

• Three

• Four

Where does the first synapse occur in the dorsal column medial lemniscus pathway?

• In the medulla

• In the cortex

• In the thalamus

• In the spinal cord

What is the role of the thalamus in sensory pathways?

• It initiates motor responses

• It acts as a gateway to the cortex

• It regulates autonomic functions

• It processes visual information

What is the significance of the term 'decussation' in sensory pathways?

• It refers to the initiation of a motor response

• It describes the crossing of neurons to the opposite side

• It indicates the end of a sensory pathway

• It is the process of synapsing in the cortex

What is the main difference between the dorsal column medial lemniscus pathway and the pain pathway?

• The location of their first synapse

• The number of neurons involved

• The type of sensory information they carry

• The side of the spinal cord they ascend

What is the name of the pathway that carries pain and temperature sensations?

• Corticospinal pathway

• Spinothalamic pathway

• Vestibulospinal pathway

• Dorsal column medial lemniscus pathway

What happens to pain sensation if there is a lesion on one side of the spinal cord?

• Pain is felt on both sides below the injury

• Pain is not felt on the same side above the injury

• Pain is felt on the same side below the injury

• Pain is not felt on the opposite side below the injury

How does a lesion on one side of the spinal cord affect touch sensation?

• Touch is not felt on the same side below the injury

• Touch is felt on the same side below the injury

• Touch is felt on both sides below the injury

• Touch is not felt on the opposite side below the injury

Why might a doctor use an ice cube to test for spinal cord injuries?

• To assess proprioception

• To test for motor function

• To check for reflex actions

• To evaluate pain and temperature pathways