Somatosensory System Structures - 1° , 2° , 3°

Question 1

Name the receptors at the distal ends of afferent neurons, specialized for specific stimulus types?

Answer 1

PRIMARY
or
FIRST ORDER (1 °) SENSORY NEURONS

Question 2

1 ° neurons convey the transmission to the spinal cord, where their synapses occur where?

Answer 2

DORSAL HORN
or
FARTHER UP IN BRAINSTEM

Question 3

Name the neurons which carry the afferentation to the thalamus?

Answer 3

SECONDARY
or
SECOND ORDER (2 °) SENSORY NEURONS

Question 4

The thalamus is a reception/relay station for the brain. Its crucial role in sensation is to convey data to what via what?

Answer 4

to the SOMATOSENSORY CORTEX
via
TERTIARY or THIRD ORDER (3 °) NEURONS

Question 5

What are first order neurons?

Answer 5

THE RECEPTORS OF STIMULI

Question 6

Each receptor has sensitivity to a particular stimulus type; what is this called?

Answer 6

ADEQUATE STIMULUS

Question 7

Where do 1 ° afferent neurons synapse with 2 ° neurons?

Answer 7

SPINAL CORD

Question 8

What are second order neurons responsible for?

Answer 8

CONVEYING DATA TO BRAIN

mostly thalamus

Question 9

Incoming signals are ________________ before they travel to the brain.

Answer 9

CONSOLIDATED

Question 10

Where is afferent information interpreted?

Answer 10

SOMATOSENSORY CORTEX AREAS ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE BRAIN

Question 11

Describe decussation?

Answer 11

2 ° NEURONS WHICH CARRY THE DATA CONTRALATERALLY - or - GO ACROSS

Question 12

Most afferent information enters the spinal cord and travels up it in WHICH direction, meeting it’s 2 ° neurons in the medulla oblongata (brainstem)?

Answer 12

IPSILATERALLY

same side

Question 13

What data meets its 2 ° neurons right away upon entering the cord, and immediately cross to and transmit up the contralateral side?

Answer 13

Data about:
NOCICEPTION
\+
TEMPERATURE
\+
CRUDE TOUCH (unrefined)

Question 14

The bulk of 2 ° transmission heads to where for processing, to become 3 ° communication channels?

Answer 14

THALAMUS