Contains second order neurons for pain and temperature (and crude touch) in the face and head and thus is the rostral continuation of the substantia gelatinosa of the spinal cord and contributes the cranial portion of the anterolateral system. Extends from the mid-pons through the entire medulla into C1 of the cervical spinal cord. Axons from this nucleus cross to become part of the ascending trigeminothalamic tract.
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