Final answer:
The two major pathways within the dorsal column are the dorsal column system and the spinothalamic tract. The dorsal column system is responsible for touch sensations and proprioception, while the spinothalamic tract pathway is responsible for pain and temperature sensations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two major pathways within the dorsal column are the dorsal column system and the spinothalamic tract. The dorsal column system is responsible for touch sensations and proprioception, while the spinothalamic tract pathway is responsible for pain and temperature sensations. The sensory pathways in both systems are composed of three successive neurons, and the second neurons in both pathways are contralateral, projecting across the midline to the other side of the brain or spinal cord.