The pathways described earlier are certainly of considerable clinical importance as follows:

• Inflammatory reactions in dorsal roots or pressure on spinal roots (as a result of herniated intervertebral discs) can cause painful sensation in the areas supplied by the affected roots.
  
  
• Degenerative processes in the region of the central canal of the spinal cord interrupt pain and temperature fibres as they decussate in the ventral white commissure.
  
  
• The spinal lemniscus may be included in lateral medullary syndrome

Pain originating in a visceral organ perceived as originating from a somatic area