56 Disorders of Somatosensory Function. Pain Flashcards
key components involved in Somatosensory Function
1 )Sensory Receptors: Specialized sensory receptors located throughout the body detect different types of sensory stimuli. For example, mechanoreceptors in the skin respond to touch and pressure, thermoreceptors detect temperature changes, and nociceptors perceive pain.
2 )Peripheral Nerves: Sensory information from the receptors is transmitted through peripheral nerves. These nerves carry the signals to the spinal cord and ultimately to the brain for further processing.
3) Spinal Cord: The spinal cord plays a crucial role in relaying somatosensory information to the brain. Nerve fibers carrying sensory signals enter the spinal cord and synapse with neurons that transmit the signals to the brain.
4)Brainstem: The brainstem serves as a relay station for sensory information. It processes and filters somatosensory signals before relaying them to higher brain regions.
Somatosensory Cortex: The primary somatosensory cortex is located in the parietal lobe of the brain. It receives and processes the sensory information from the body, creating a conscious perception of touch, pressure, temperature, and other somatosensory sensations. The somatosensory cortex is organized in a somatotopic manner, where different areas correspond to specific body regions.
if any of the above go wrong it causes Somatosensory disfunction
list the Disorders of somatosensory
1 ) Peripheral Neuropathy: Peripheral neuropathy refers to damage or dysfunction of peripheral nerves, often resulting from conditions like diabetes, autoimmune disorders, infections, or trauma. The pathophysiology of peripheral neuropathy involves damage to the myelin sheath (demyelination) or the nerve fibers themselves (axonal degeneration). This disrupts the transmission of sensory signals, leading to symptoms such as tingling, numbness, burning pain, and impaired sensation in the affected areas.
2) Neuropathic Pain: Neuropathic pain is a chronic pain condition that arises from abnormal processing of somatosensory signals in the nervous system. It can result from nerve damage or dysfunction caused by conditions like diabetes, shingles, nerve compression, or spinal cord injuries. The pathophysiology involves changes in the excitability of neurons, aberrant signaling, and maladaptive plasticity in the central nervous system (CNS). These changes lead to persistent pain, hypersensitivity to stimuli, and abnormal sensations like burning, shooting, or electric shock-like pain.
3)Somatosensory Stroke: A stroke affecting the somatosensory cortex or related pathways can result in sensory deficits. Ischemic strokes, caused by blocked blood vessels, or hemorrhagic strokes, caused by bleeding in the brain, can damage the areas responsible for somatosensory processing. The specific symptoms depend on the location and extent of the stroke but can include loss of sensation, abnormal sensations, or neglect of one side of the body.
