Somatasensation Flashcards
What are the three functions of Primary afferent neurones
- Exteroception
- from external environment - Proprioception
- posture and movement - Inter/enteriception
- internal environment
What information about stimuli can PANs encode
Modality= type of stimuli Intensity= total stimuli energy Timing= when starts/ stops Location= where receptors are active
What property of PANs allows for detection of modality
- Respond to one form of energy more than any other
2. Respond to a narrow range of stimuli
Describe ‘adequate stimulus’
- Type of stimulus receptors respond to under normal conditions
- Type of stimulus that has lowest threshold for receptor activation
- Primary afferent fibres carry information from a single type of receptor
- Verity of specialised receptor structures = submodalites
Describe ‘labelled line code’
Perceived MODALITY depends on SPECIFICITY of receptor and fibre type activated and pathway to area of cortex
Describe the specificity principle
Whatever the stimulus the perception is the same (rub eyes but see stars)
Describe free nerve endings
- Most body tissue
- ## Pain, temp and pressureCan be modified (Merkles Discs)
- Basal layer of epidermis
- Light pressure
Define sensory threshold
Minimum intensity of a stimulus to produce response from sensory system
- Receptor threshold
- AP threshold
- Perception threshold
Define saturation
Maximum Intensity of stimuli to produce a response from sensory system
Define the ‘dynamic range’
- The rage of intensities that will produce a response from receptor/ sensory system
- The range between threshold and saturation
Describe how receptor threshold can be modified
ADAPTATION
Receptor process when response to constant stimulus declines over time
What are the two types of adaptation
Slow
- better for coding intensity of stimulus for entire duration
Fast
- better for coding changes in stimulus intensity but not duration
What defines speed of conduction
- Diameter= faster AP conduction
2. Myelination
What are the three pathways in the ascending sensory system
- Anterolateral system
- Dorsal column-medial lemniscal pathway
- Somatosensory cerebellum pathway
Describe the anterolateral system
Includes:
- Spinothalamic
- spinohypothalamic
- spinoreticular
- spinomesencephalic
- spinotectal
Relay of
- pain and temperature
- non-discriminative touch (crude non localised)
- touch
- pressure
Describe the Dorsal-column medial lemniscus pathway
Includes: - fasciculus garcilis - fasciculus cuneatus - medial lemmiscus Relays - fine touch - vibration - position sense
Describe the somatosensory pathways to the cerebellum
- anterior
- posterior
- rostral
Spinocerebelluar tracts
+ cuneocetebllar tract
Relays proprioceptive information