Final answer:
The sensations of pain, pressure, light touch, temperature, tickle, and itch are carried in the anterolateral pathway, or spinothalamic tract. The dorsal column pathway, which is separate, carries fine touch, vibration, and proprioceptive information.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pain, pressure, light touch, temperature, tickle, and itch sensations are carried in the anterolateral pathway, also known as the spinothalamic tract. This pathway decussates at the level of entry into the spinal cord and ascends contralaterally. In contrast, the dorsal column pathway conveys fine touch, vibration, and proprioceptive information and decussates in the medulla. Both systems are essential for sensory input, and testing the stimuli they convey can indicate their functionality and discriminate between the pathways in case of damage.
Sensory Pathways
The dorsal column system, or dorsal column-medial lemniscus, and the spinothalamic tract are the major ascending pathways that bring sensory information from the periphery to the brain. Each of these sensory pathways comprises three successive neurons. The dorsal column pathway is responsible for transmitting sensations such as touch and proprioception, whereas the spinothalamic tract pathway primarily handles pain and temperature sensations.