Afferent pathways terminate in the dorsal horn of the
spinal cord (1st afferent neuron)
● 2nd afferent neuron creates spinal part of afferent
system
The portion of CNS involved in the interpretation of
the pain signals are the limbic system, reticular
formation, thalamus, hypothalamus and cortex
● The efferent pathways, composed of the fibers
connecting the reticular formation, midbrain, and
substantia gelatinosa, are responsible for modulating
pain sensation