Question

There are three orders of sensory neurons between the skin and the area of the cerebral cortex that interprets the sensation. Which order crosses from one side of the body to allow the opposite side of the brain to detect the sensation?

A)third
B)all answers are correct
C)second
D)first

Answer 1

The second-order neurons in the sensory pathways cross to the opposite side of the central nervous system, enabling the brain to process sensations from the other side of the body.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question is asking which order of sensory neurons crosses from one side of the body to allow the opposite side of the brain to detect the sensation. In the sensory pathways, specifically the dorsal column system and the spinothalamic tract, sensations from the body below the neck pass through three successive neurons to reach the brain.

The correct answer is option C) second, as it is the second-order neurons that cross over, or decussate, to the opposite side of the central nervous system (CNS) allowing the brain to process sensations from the opposite side of the body.