Which tract in the spinal cord carries fine touch and proprioceptive information to the brain stem?

The correct answer is the dorsal column, which is responsible for transmitting fine touch and proprioceptive information from the body to the brain stem. The dorsal column pathway consists of two major tracts: the fasciculus cuneatus and the fasciculus gracilis. These tracts carry sensory information up to the medulla oblongata, where they synapse and then cross over to ascend to the thalamus and ultimately to the sensory cortex.

Fine touch refers to the ability to perceive detailed tactile information, while proprioception involves the awareness of body position and movement. The dorsal column pathway is specifically designed for these modalities, making it distinct from other pathways that convey different types of sensory information.

In contrast, the spinothalamic tract primarily carries pain and temperature sensations, not fine touch or proprioception. The corticospinal tract is mainly involved in motor control rather than sensory processing. The ventral white commissure does not carry sensory information in the way that the dorsal column does; it is involved in the crossing of fibers but does not specifically relate to fine touch or proprioceptive information.