Pain signals travel through the spinal cord toward the brain along ascending pathways.

### Why this is right The material states that pain signals travel via the spinal cord to the brain through ascending tracts. This is the transmission stage of pain processing. ### The concept Pain processing begins with nociceptors detecting noxious stimuli. Signals then travel through the spinal cord toward the brain, where multiple regions interpret them. Descending pathways run in the opposite direction of influence and can modulate pain. ### Terms - **Ascending pathway**: A route that carries signals toward the brain. - **Descending pathway**: A route by which the brain can influence pain processing. - **Nociceptor**: A sensory neuron that detects noxious stimuli. ### Remember Ascending pathways carry pain signals toward the brain; descending pathways can modulate them.