spinothalamic tract n any of four tracts of nerve fibers of the spinal cord that are arranged in pairs with one member of a pair on each side and that ascend to the thalamus by way of the brain stem:
a) one on each side of the anterior median fissure that carries nerve impulses relating to the sense of touch called also anterior spinothalamic tract, ventral spinothalamic tract
b) one on each lateral part of the spinal cord that carries nerve impulses relating to the senses of touch, pain, and temperature called also lateral spinothalamic tract
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tractus spinothalamicus lateralis.Medical dictionary. 2011.