If you haven't studied neuroanatomy before, or need a refresher on the basics, then select HELP above (opens in a new window/tab) and then select The Basics. This section also contains help with using this website.

Sensory information and motor commands are conducted to, within and from the central nervous system by chains of synaptically linked neurons whose axons are bundled in tracts (central nervous system) or nerves (peripheral nervous system).

In the central nervous system, neuronal cell bodies are located in the grey matter of the spinal cord and brainstem, and also in clusters of cells (nuclei) in various parts of the brain. In the peripheral nervous system, neuronal cell bodies are located in enlargements (ganglia) of peripheral nerves. A chain of neurons carrying the same type of information is referred to as a pathway.

In this section, the major pathways carrying general sensory (somatosensory) information about touch, pressure, stretch, vibration, pain and temperature from the periphery via the spinal cord and brainstem (ascending somatosensory pathways) are outlined.

The major pathways carrying motor commands from the cerebral cortex and brainstem (descending pathways) are also described. Finally, the effects of lesions on these pathways are briefly considered.