Fine touch is lost in lesion of
## **Core Concept**
Fine touch sensation is primarily mediated through the dorsal columns of the spinal cord, specifically the **fasciculus gracilis** and **fasciculus cuneatus**. These pathways are responsible for transmitting sensory information related to vibration, proprioception, and fine touch. Damage to these pathways can lead to the loss of fine touch sensation.
## **Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer, **Dorsal column**, is right because lesions affecting the dorsal column of the spinal cord disrupt the pathways responsible for transmitting fine touch, vibration, and proprioception. The dorsal columns are crucial for the transmission of these sensations from the body to the brain. Damage here results in the loss of fine touch and other sensations mediated by these pathways.
## **Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
- **Option A: Spinothalamic tract** - This tract is involved in transmitting pain and temperature sensations. Lesions here would affect pain and temperature perception, not fine touch.
- **Option B: Corticospinal tract** - This tract is primarily involved in motor function, controlling voluntary movements. Lesions here would result in motor deficits rather than sensory loss.
- **Option C: Sympathetic nervous system** - This system is part of the autonomic nervous system and is involved in various involuntary functions, such as heart rate and digestion. It does not directly mediate sensations like fine touch.
## **Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A key clinical correlation to remember is that **dorsal column lesions** often present with a loss of **vibration sense**, **proprioception**, and **fine touch**, but spare pain and temperature sensation. This pattern can help in localizing spinal cord lesions.
## **Correct Answer: D. Dorsal column**