Signal Processing and The Somatic Senses Flashcards
What do the sensory pathways convey?
The type and location of the sensory stimulus.
What determines the “type” of sensory pathway taken?
The type of receptor activated.
What determines the “location” of the sensory pathway?
The brain has a map of the location of each receptor.
How does the neuron travel through the sensory pathway?
Neuron >receptor> afferent neuron> spinal cord/brainstem> second order neuron> thalamus>third order neuron>cortex
Why do most sensory pathways project to the thalamus?
The thalamus modifies and relays information to cortical centers.
Where do the equilibrium pathways project to?
cerebellum
The olfactory pathway projects from the now to where?
The olfactory cortex
What is the definition of somatic sensation?
Sensation from the skin, muscles, bones, tendons, and joints.
What initiates the somatic sensation?
activation of a number of distinct somatic receptors that response specifically to changes in heat, cold, touch, pressure, limb position, movement, or pain.
What does the somatic sensation enable the body to feel?
to feel, ache, and chill
What is the somatic sensory system is responsible for?
Touch and pain.
Why is the somatic sensory system different from other systems?
It has receptors that broadly distributed and responds to many stimuli.
What are the 5 somatic special senses?
Vision, Hearing, Taste, Smell, Equilibrium.
What are the general somatic senses?
Touch, temperature, pain, itch, proprioception.
What is proprioception?
It is the sense of the orientation of one’s limbs in space.
What are three ways somatic senses classified?
1) Mechanoreceptic somatic sense, thermoreceptive senses, and the pain sense.
What is exteroreceptive sensations?
A way to classify somatic sense. Sensations on the surface of the body.
What is proprioceptive sensations?
A way to classify somatic sense. It is the physical state of the body.
What are Visceral Sensations?
A way to classify somatic senses. It is sensation in the internal organs: heart, liver, lungs.
What are deep sensations?
A way to classify somatic senses. It is “deep” pressure, pain, and vibration.
What are the types of skin?
Hairy and glabrous.
What is glabrous skin?
Hairless skin like your palms
What are the layers of the skin?
Epidermis and dermis
Which is the outer layer of the skin?
The epidermis
What is the inner layer of the skin?
The dermis
What is the function of the skin?
Protective, prevents evap of body fluid, and provides direct contact with world.
What are mechanoreceptors?
Most somatosensory receptors
What is the sensory pathway for transmitting somatic signals into CNS?
Neuron enters the spinal cord > through the dorsal column > dorsal column nuclei, medial meniscus, medula, the thalamus, and primary somatosensory cortex.
Explain the dorsal column-medial lemniscal pathway?
Mechanoreceptors or proprioceptors> first order neurons (Afferent) through the dorsal columns> trigeminal nerve> decussation of medial meniscus> dorsal column nuclei in medula oblongata>second order neuron> thalamus>third order neuron>primary somatosensory cortex
Explain the Anterolateral system?
nociceptors or thermoreceptors> first order neuron (Afferent) go through the anterolateral quadrant> through the leisure’s tract> through the medulla oblongota> second order neuron > thalamus > third order neuron > primary somatosensory cortex.
In the dorsal column-medial lemniscal system requires touch sensations to be what?
a high degree of localization of the stimulus.
In the dorsal column-medial lemniscal system requires touch sensations requiring transmission of what?
fine gradations of intensity.
What are phasic sensations in the dorsal column-medial lemniscal system?
vibratory sensations