Neuroanatomy: spinal tracts: practice question

A Anatomy question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Anatomy · Neuroanatomy: spinal tracts

Sample item

Which tract carries pain and temperature sensation from the body to the contralateral thalamus?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Lateral spinothalamic tract

Pain and temperature fibers cross near their spinal entry level and ascend contralaterally in the lateral spinothalamic tract. Dorsal columns carry vibration, proprioception, and fine touch.

Option by option

  • A. Spinocerebellar tract

    Spinocerebellar tracts convey unconscious proprioception.

  • B. Corticospinal tract

    Corticospinal tracts carry voluntary motor commands.

  • C. Lateral spinothalamic tract (correct)

    Correct. Lateral spinothalamic tract transmits contralateral pain and temperature.

  • D. Dorsal columns

    Dorsal columns carry discriminative touch and proprioception.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is C, Lateral spinothalamic tract. Pain and temperature fibers cross near their spinal entry level and ascend contralaterally in the lateral spinothalamic tract.

Why is "Spinocerebellar tract" not the answer?

Spinocerebellar tracts convey unconscious proprioception.

Why is "Corticospinal tract" not the answer?

Corticospinal tracts carry voluntary motor commands.

Why is "Dorsal columns" not the answer?

Dorsal columns carry discriminative touch and proprioception.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neuroanatomy: spinal tracts in Anatomy. Dorsal columns carry vibration, proprioception, and fine touch.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Neuroanatomy: spinal tracts?

Learn every nerve by its route, its muscles and what a lesion looks like at the bedside. That one habit answers a large share of questions. Then use the flashcards and the other Anatomy questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.