Characteristics of primate spinothalamic tract neurons receiving viscerosomatic convergent inputs in T3-T5 segments

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Abstract
Neurons in spinal segments T3-T5 projecting to the caudal portion of the ventral posterior lateral nucleus of the thalamus (VPLc) were examined for their visceral and somatic inputs in anesthetized adult monkeys (Macaca fascicularis and M. mulatta). A total of 32 neurons were studied in 16 monkeys. Each of the neurons received visceral and somatic inputs. ST [spinothalamic tract] cells in the upper thoracic spinal cord exhibit many qualitative differences from those in the lumbar cord. The observation that all ST cells receive visceral and somatic inputs supports Ruch''s convergence projection theory of referred pain. ST cells in the thoracic spinal cord may be involved in the referral of pain associated with angina pectoris to somatic structures.