What is the function of the spinal cord's white commissure?

The function of the spinal cord's white commissure is primarily related to the decussation of the spinothalamic tract, which is responsible for transmitting pain and temperature sensations from the body to the brain. This specific area is located near the midline of the spinal cord and serves as a pathway for sensory fibers to cross from one side of the spinal cord to the other.

When sensory neurons have detected painful or temperature stimuli, they enter the spinal cord and ascend centrally, where they reach the white commissure. Here, the nerve fibers cross over to the opposite side, allowing the signals to be transmitted to the thalamus and then to the somatosensory cortex for processing. This crossing is crucial for the brain to interpret sensory information from the opposite side of the body.

The other functions mentioned are performed by different structures and pathways in the nervous system. Transmitting motor signals is primarily managed by the descending pathways in the spinal cord, while processing sensory information involves various centers within the brain, including but not limited to the thalamus and cortex. Respiratory functions are regulated by the brainstem's respiratory centers, rather than the spinal cord's white commissure.