Which part of the spinal cord is responsible for transmitting information to the brain?

The ascending pathways of the spinal cord play a crucial role in transmitting sensory information from the body to the brain. These pathways carry signals about various sensations such as touch, pain, temperature, and proprioception. The information travels through a series of neurons that ascend toward the brainstem and then to the thalamus and the cerebral cortex for processing. This process allows the brain to interpret sensory input and respond accordingly, making ascending pathways vital for perception and awareness of the environment.

In contrast, descending pathways are responsible for conveying motor commands from the brain to the body, the central canal is involved in the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid, and grey matter contains neuronal cell bodies that process information rather than transmit it. Thus, the function of transmitting information to the brain firmly aligns with the role of ascending pathways.