Sensory Systems Flashcards
what is the receptive field?
the specific area that a receptor responds to
what do all sensory receptors transduce the adequate stimulus into?
a depolarisation, the receptor generator potential
what does the size of the receptor potential encode?
the intensity of the stimulus
what does the receptor potential then evoke?
firing of action potential for long distance transmission
what does the frequency of the action potential encode?
the size of the stimulus
what determines acuity?
the density of innervation and size of receptive fields
what are A beta afferent fibres?
they are large myelinated fibres sensing touch, pressure and vibration
what are A omega afferent fibres?
small myelinated fibres sensing cold, fast pain and pressure
what are C afferent fibres?
unmyelinated fibres sensing warmth, slow pain
what primary afferent fibres mediate proprioception?
a alpha and A beta fibres
what type of fibres are mechanoreceptive fibres?
> A alpha
> A beta
where do mechanoreceptive fibres synapse in?
the cuneate and gracile nuclei
where do the 2nd order mechanoreceptive fibres project to?
> reticular formation
thalamus
cortex
what fibres are the thermoreceptive and nociceptive fibres?
A omega and C fibres
where do thermoreceptive and nociceptive fibres synapse?
in the dorsal horn