Final answer:
The dorsal column system and the spinothalamic tract are two major tracts in the spinal cord that relay different types of sensory information to the brain. These tracts are segregated within the spinal cord and their function can be tested to determine if pain needs to be turned off.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two major tracts in the spinal cord, the dorsal column system and the spinothalamic tract, are responsible for relaying different types of sensory information to the brain. The dorsal column system carries information about touch and proprioception, while the spinothalamic tract is responsible for pain and temperature sensation.
These two systems are segregated within the spinal cord, with the dorsal column system decussating in the medulla and the spinothalamic tract decussating at the level of entry in the spinal cord. This segregation allows for the specific testing of these pathways and helps determine if pain needs to be turned off.
The modulation of pain and which ascending pathway in the spinal cord is responsible for determining if the sensation of pain should be inhibited. The two major ascending pathways are the dorsal column pathway and the spinothalamic pathway. The dorsal column pathway carries information about fine touch, vibration, and proprioception, and its fibers decussate in the medulla. In contrast, the spinothalamic pathway carries pain and temperature sensations, and its fibers cross immediately when entering the spinal cord.