Mechanoreception Flashcards
What is mechanoreception
detection of stimuli
What is a mechanoreceptor?
Peripheral receptor
What are the 3 mechanical distortions?
Pressure
Vibration
Tension
Define exteroreception
info about things coming into contact with the body
Define proprioception
awareness of self position
define touch
sensory experience when mechanoreceptors are excited - involves CNS
The 4 oro-facial mechanoreceptors
mucosa
PDL
muscles
joint receptors
What is the effect of stimulation of mechanoreceptors?
Touch sensation
Reflexes
Modulation of other senses
What is a receptive field?
the area/space where a stimulus will affect the receptor
What are the 2 types of rapidly adapting mechanoreceptors
Meissner's Corpuscle (RA I) Pacinian Corpuscle (RA II)
What are the 2 types of slow adapting mechanoreceptors
Merkel Cells (SA I) Ruffini Ending (SA II)
What do 2 point discrimination thresholds reflect?
The innervation density
Size of receptive field
What 2 roles do PDL mechanoreceptors have?
exteroceptive role and proprioceptive role
Describe PDL mechanoreceptors in terms of Nerve Endings
RUFFINI nerve endings (slow adapting with large receptive field)
Describe PDL mechanoreceptors in terms of afferents
A-beta axons
300 per tooth
Describe PDL mechanoreceptors in terms of cell bodies
TRIGEMINAL GANGLION
MESENCEPHALIC NUCLEUS
What sort of mechanic distortion do PDL mechanoreceptors pick up?
Tension in PDL
What does the tooth move around?
The fulcrum
Why is there a difference in adaptation and threshold at the apical and cervical parts of PDL even though same mechnoreceptor type?
Linked to position relative to fulcrum of tooth
apically (far from fulcrum) at PDL?
slowly adapting
cervically (close to fulcrum) at PDL?
rapidly adapting
What are the 4 stages in the sensory pathway (in order)?
Stage 1: Mechanoreception
Stage 2: Processing at first synapse
Stage 3: Processing in thalamus
Stage 4: Conscious perception
