An injury to the anterior aspect of the spinal cord is characterized by loss of which sensations?

An injury to the anterior aspect of the spinal cord, often associated with conditions such as anterior spinal artery syndrome, primarily affects the pathways that carry pain and temperature sensations. The anterior portion of the spinal cord houses the spinothalamic tract, which is responsible for transmitting pain and temperature sensations from the body to the brain.

When this area is injured, individuals typically experience a loss of the ability to sense pain and temperature sensations below the level of the injury. This is due to the disruption of the spinothalamic pathways, while other sensory modalities such as proprioception (position sensation) and vibration remain intact, as they are carried through the dorsal columns, which are located in the posterior aspect of the spinal cord.

Understanding that the anterior portion of the spinal cord affects specific sensory modalities helps in diagnosing and treating spinal cord injuries effectively.