Neuro Exam 2 - Somatosensory System Flashcards
Define exteroceptors.
Detects stimuli from the external world that comes in contact with our body surfaces.
- touch
- pressure
- vibration
- pain
- temperature
Define proprioceptors.
Detect stimuli from muscles, tendons, and joint capsule.
- limb position and movement.
Define interceptors
Detects stimuli from viscera; sense internal changes in body.
Define special sensory receptor.
Located in the head and detect various stimuli.
- photons of light
- sound waves
Allows to have 5 special senses:
1. Taste
2. Smell
3. Hearing
4. Equilibrium/Balance
5. Vision
Define sensory transduction.
List 3 functions of the sensory system.
It TRANSDUCES, ENCODES, and PERCEIVES information that comes from outside and inside the body.
What are examples of visceral sensation?
Noxious (pain)
Non-noxious (bladder/bowel distension)
Examples of somatic sensations.
- Touch
- Pressure
- Vibration
- Limb position
- Temperature
- Pain
Examples of sensations.
- Vision
- Audition
- Vestibular
- Taste
- Olfaction
Explain the “what” (modality) of sensory coding.
Receptors are differentially responsive to specific forms of energy, afferent signals are transmitted over dedicated systems that process them.
Explain the “where” (location) of sensory coding.
Topographic arrangements in the CNS, such that excitation of receptors in a specific location results in activity within a specific area of the CNS (receptive fields).
Explain the “how long” (duration/temporal dynamics) of sensory coding.
Receptors have different adaptive properties allowing encoding of the timing of a stimulus.
Explain the “how strong” (intensity) of sensory coding.
Frequency coding and population coding allow for awareness of intensity of stimulus.
