The Somatosensory System Flashcards
What is generator potential? (a.k.a. receptor potential)
A stationary depolarization of a receptor that occurs in response to a stimulus and is graded according to stimulus intensity. It results in an action potential when the appropriate threshold is reached
Which structure in the muscle is responsible for sensation?
Muscle Spindle (responsive to stretch)
Which kind of receptor mediates touch vibration and pressure?
Low threshold mechanoreceptor
Which kind of receptor mediates cold, indifferent, warm and hot sensation?
Low threshold thermoreceptors
Which kind of receptors respond to high intensity mechanical stimuli? e.g. hammer to the thumb
High threshold mechanoreceptors (a.k.a. mechanical nociceptors)
Which kind of receptors respond to extremes of temperature?
High threshold thermoreceptors (a.k.a. thermal nociceptors)
Which kind of receptors respond to inflammatory substances in tissues? e.g. prostaglandins, histamine etc.
Chemical nociceptors
If a receptor responds to more than one type of noxious stimuli, it is called ______?
A polymodal nociceptor
If a neurone fires constantly throughout a constant stimulus, it could be described as ______?
Slowly-adapting
If a neurone becomes less sensitive over time, or alters its firing in response to a change in stimulus strength, it could be described as ______?
Rapidly-adapting
Classifications of axons from the skin, in decreasing order of diameter, degree of myelination and conduction velocity.
Aα, Aβ, Aδ, C
Which axon classification is responsible for proprioception of skeletal muscle?
Aα
Which axon classification is responsible for mechanoreception in the skin?
Aβ
Which axon classification is responsible for temperature and pain?
Aδ
Which axon classification is responsible for temperature, pain and itch?
C
