Editing Spinothalamic tract (section)

==Clinical significance==
{{Unreferenced section|date=July 2024}}
In contrast to the axons of second-order neurons in [[dorsal column-medial lemniscus pathway]], the axons of second-order neurons in the spinothalamic tracts cross at every segmental level in the spinal cord. This fact aids in determining whether a lesion is in the brain or the spinal cord. With lesions in the brain stem or higher, deficits of pain perception, touch sensation, and proprioception are all contralateral to the lesion. With spinal cord lesions, however, the deficit in pain perception is contralateral to the lesion, whereas the other deficits are ipsilateral. See [[Brown-Séquard syndrome]].

Unilateral lesions usually cause contralateral [[anaesthesia]] (loss of pain and temperature).  Anaesthesia will normally begin 1-2 segments below the level of lesion, due to the sensory fibers being carried by dorsal-lateral tract of Lissauer up several levels upon entry into the spinal cord, and will affect all caudal body areas.  This is clinically tested by using pin pricks.