Anterior trigeminothalamic tract

The anterior trigeminothalamic tract (or ventral trigeminothalamic tract) serves as a pain and temperature pathway from the face, head and neck. The first order neurons (from the trigeminal ganglion) enter the medulla and synapse in the spinal trigeminal nucleus. Axons of the second order neurons cross the midline and terminate in the ventral posteromedial nucleus of the thalamus (as opposed to the ventral posterolateral nucleus, as in the dorsal column medial lemniscus (DCML) system). The third order neuron in the thalamus then connects to the sensory cortex of the postcentral gyrus.