Question

The spinothalamic tract is accompanied by the hypothalamospinal tract throughout the brain stem. What happens when both tracts are lesioned together in a lateral brain stem lesion?

1) Sensory loss
2) Motor loss
3) Autonomic dysfunction
4) Cognitive impairment

Answer 1

When both the spinothalamic tract and the hypothalamospinal tract are lesioned together in a lateral brain stem lesion, sensory loss is the most likely outcome.

Step-by-step explanation:

When both the spinothalamic tract and the hypothalamospinal tract are lesioned together in a lateral brain stem lesion, the most likely outcome is sensory loss.

The spinothalamic tract is responsible for relaying pain and temperature sensations, so a lesion in this pathway would result in a loss of those sensory functions.

The hypothalamospinal tract is involved in regulating autonomic functions, so its lesion could potentially result in autonomic dysfunction, which could lead to impaired regulation of bodily functions.