Final answer:
An ipsilateral response occurs when sensory or motor reactions are on the same side as the stimulus or brain control center, while a contralateral response involves the opposite side. Pathways like the corticospinal tract (motor) and the spinothalamic pathway (sensory) illustrate these types of responses in the nervous system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase 'this results in an ipsilateral response... contralateral response' refers to the body's sensory and motor pathways. In the nervous system, sensory information and motor commands operate on different sides of the body. The corticospinal tract is an important pathway where motor commands descend contralaterally, meaning that they cross over from the origin in the brain to the opposite side of the body. For sensory pathways, the dorsal column pathway ascends ipsilaterally, transmitting touch and proprioceptive information on the same side, while the spinothalamic pathway decussates and ascends contralaterally, carrying pain and temperature sensations from the opposite side.
Double simultaneous stimulation can be used to assess the integrity of these pathways. If a deficit is detected on one side, it suggests that there may be damage to the corresponding sensory or motor pathway, which could be indicative of an issue in areas such as the contralateral posterior parietal lobe. These findings are essential for diagnosing neurological conditions and understanding how the brain's hemispheres control different aspects of bodily function.