11. Sensory Phys Flashcards
how are peripheral Ns classified
- based on contribution to a compound action potentials
- OR Fiber diameter, myelin thickness, & conduction velocity (classes I, II, III, and IV).
How are the two schemes of peripheral Ns related
- Conduction velocity = fiber’s contribution to compound AP
- Compound AP & conduction velocity = diagnostic test to evaluate peripheral N disease
what are the characteristics of A-alpha sensory fiber
1a & 1b
diameter = large
velocity: 80-120 m/s (FAST)
receptor: primary M. spindle & golgi tendon organ
what is the characteristic of A-beta sensory fibers
II
diameter - < A- alpha
velocity - < A-alpha
receptor: secondary M spindle & skin mechanoreceptors
what is the characteristic of A-delta sensory fibers
III
diameter < A-beta
velocity < A-beta
receptor: skin mechanoreceptors, thermal receptors & nociceptors
small receptive field: precise localization of pain
what is the characteristic of C sensory fibers
IV
Diameter: smallest
velocity: slowest (0.5-2 m/s) - unmyelinated
receptor: skin mechanoreceptor, thermal receptor & nociceptors
large receptive field: less precision for pain
what is the characteristic of A-alpha motor fibers
diameter : largest of motor fibers
velocity: fasted of motor fibers
receptor: Extrafusal sk. M fibers
what is the characteristic of A-beta motor fibers
diameter: < A-alpha
velocity: < A-alpha
receptor: Intrafusal M fibers
what is the characteristic of B motor fibers
diameter: < A-beta
velocity: < A-beta
receptor: Preganglionic autonomic fibers
what is the characteristic of C motor fibers
diameter: smallest of motor
velocity: slowest of motor
Receptor: Postsynaptic autonomic fibers
Meissner corpuscle
mechano: touch & vibration < 100 Hz (flutter//tap)
low threshold
rapid adaption
in glaborous skin
Pacinian corpuscle
mechano: rapid indentation of skin (high-freq vibration)
low threshold
rapid adaption
in hairy and glaborous skin
Ruffini corpuscle
mechano: magnitude/direction of stretch; touch/pressure/proprioception
low threshold
slow adaption
in hairy and glaborous skin
Merkel cells
mechano: pressure
low threshold
slow adaption
glaborous skin
Hair follicle receptor
mechano: motion across skin/direction
rapid/slow adaption
tactile free n endings
mechano- pain & temp
high threshold
slow adaption
what are receptive fields & their importance
Areas of innervation – each mechanoreceptor fibers convey information from a limited area of skin
vary in size
higher density: small receptive field, fine discrimination
lower density: large receptive field
what is 2 point discrimination
ability to identify site of stimulation and distinguish btn stimuli that are close
= min distance btn the two stimuli
variation different regions of the skin –> diff explained by observation that the mechanoreceptors are much more numerous with smaller receptive fields
what are characteristics of two point discrimination
- Allows for spatial resolution of detailed textures
- Tactile acuity is highest in fingertips and lips (smallest receptive fields).
- Tactile acuity is lowest on the calf, back and thigh (largest receptive field).
- Test is used a diagnostic tool of peripheral sensory deficiencies
what does the somatosensory cortex (S1) do
the integration of the information for position sense as well as size, shape discrimination
- First stop for most cutaneous senses
- =crude sense
what does the somatosensory area II (S2) do?
responsible for comparisons between objects, different tactile sensations & determining whether something becomes a memory
in the wall of the lateral sulcus
receive input form S1
imp in cognitive touch/interpretation
what does the parieto-temporal-occipital association area (PTO) do?
responsible for high-level interpretation of sensory inputs.
- input from multiple sensory areas
- Analyzes spatial coordinates of self in environment
- Identification of objects
what is the law of projection
states that regardless of the place along an afferent pathway that is stimulated, the sensation is perceived to come from the place that the innervation arises.
what is phantom limb pain
e pain in a body part that is no longer present,

