Changes

===Ascending Reticular Formation (Spinoreticular Tract)===

===Ascending Reticular Formation (Spinoreticular Tract)===

[[Image:AscendingReticularFormation.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Ascending Reticular Formation - © Sarah Hamilton 2008]]

[[Image:AscendingReticularFormation.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Ascending Reticular Formation - © Sarah Hamilton 2008]]

 

The ascending reticular formation is thought of as the true pain sensation as the pain lasts longer. Sensory information enters the [[Spinal Column - Anatomy & Physiology|spinal cord]] on the ipsilateral side of the stimulus. Some signals cross to the contralateral side of the body. The tract consists of several [[PNS Structure - Anatomy & Physiology#Nerve Fibre|short neurones]]. Therefore the ascending reticular formation is ''bilateral'' and ''multineuronal'', although this pain pathway is thought to be more primitive than the [[Sensory Pathways - Anatomy & Physiology#Spinothalamic Tract|spinothalmic tract]]. In humans, the ascending reticular formation is superceeded by the [[Sensory Pathways - Anatomy & Physiology#Spinothalamic Tract|spinothalamic tract]]. In animals, the ascending reticular formation is the main pathway for pain to reach the [[Forebrain - Anatomy & Physiology#Cerebral Cortex|cerebral cortex]].

*True pain sensation; pain lasts longer.

*Sensory information enters the [[Spinal Column - Anatomy & Physiology|spinal cord]] on the ipsilateral side of the stimulus. Some signals cross to the contralateral side of the body.

*The tract consists of '''several''' [[PNS Structure - Anatomy & Physiology#Nerve Fibre|short neurones]].

*Therfore the ascending reticular formation is ''bilateral'' and ''multineuronal''.

*This pain pathway is more primitive than the [[Sensory Pathways - Anatomy & Physiology#Spinothalamic Tract|spinothalmic tract]].

**In '''man''', the ascending reticular formation is superceeded by the [[Sensory Pathways - Anatomy & Physiology#Spinothalamic Tract|spinothalamic tract]]. In '''animals''', the ascending reticular formation is the '''main pathway''' for pain to reach the [[Forebrain - Anatomy & Physiology#Cerebral Cortex|cerebral cortex]].

==Pain==

==Pain==