Sensory Pathways Flashcards
What are Ascending Neural Pathways in Sensory Systems?
- Ascending because they carry information “up” to the brain
- Typically formed by 3+ neurons, connected by synapses
- Information is either brought to consciousness or not
- Most pathways convey only one type of sensory information
why might an individual feel pain in their shoulder during a heart attack?
covergence of neurons, brains interpret pain from different location
Which Neuron, A or B, would indicate stimulus location more precisely?
A - smaller receptor field
can tell theres two different locations
(B would not be able to narrow certain location)
Convergence vs Divergence
What are Specific Ascending Pathways?
- Initially integrated in specific areas of the brain
- Information then travels to association areas for further integration
make into seperate cards (match)
Parietal - Somatosensory
Temporal - Auditory
Adjacent to Somatosensory Cprtex - Gustatory
Undersurface of Frontal and Temporal Lobes - Limbic
Occipital - Visual
What are Non-Specific Ascending Pathways?
- Activated by sensory units of several different types and provide general information (i.e., something is happening, but we don’t know what or where)
- End in the brainstem, reticular formation, thalamus and non-discriminative areas of the cerebral cortex
Which Pathway is Specific and Which is non Specific?
Specific - LEFT
Non-Specific - RIGHT
non-specific ascending pathways
do not convey specific sensory information
termionate in the brainstem so we cant get info about it.
something is happening to you but we don’t know what or where
