somatosensory function Flashcards
somatosensory modalities: list and define the major somatosensory modalities
what is the somatosensory system concerned with
ability to interpret bodily sensations, with sensory receptors in skin, muscles, joints and ligaments
what are 4 somatosensory pathway stimuli
mechanical (touch), thermal, proprioception and nociception
what are the somatosensory pathway stimuli carried via
dorsal columns or medial lemniscus pathway
where are the somatosensory pathway stimuli carried to
somatosensory cortex
what does touch stimuli include
light (fine, discriminative) touch, pressure, vibration
what does proprioception stimuli include
position sense, including joint position, muscle length and muscle tension
2 free axon nerve endings stimuli
thermoreceptors and nociceptors
enclosed axon nerve endings stimulus
mechanoreceptors (5 types)
3 types of sensory receptors
AB, Ad, C
AB fibres
largest and fastest, with myelin coating and largest diameter; innocuous mechanical stimulation
Ad
myelinated, smaller diameter; noxious mechanical and thermal stimuli
C
smallest, slowest (no myelin), noxious mechanical, thermal and chemical stimuli
