Spinoreticular tract

The spinoreticular tract is an example of an ascending sensory tract. It plays an important role in influencing consciousness level.

The axons of first order neurons for spinoreticular tract arise from the dorsal root ganglion and enter the posterior gray columns of spinal cord. The cell bodies of the second order neurons have not been clearly identified in the posterior horn. However, it is known that the axons of these second order neurons ascend in the lateral funiculus (or lateral white column) to synapse with the reticular formation in the medulla oblongata, pons and mid-brain. Most fibers of spinoreticular tract remain uncrossed.