Touch and Mechanoreception Flashcards
Define exteroception
Exteroception refers to information detected from stimuli coming into contact with the body.
Where can exteroceptors be found?
Skin and Mucosa
List the 4 types of exteroceptors.
- Mechanoreceptors
- Thermoreceptors
- Chemoreceptors
- Nociceptors
Define proprioception
Proprioception refers to information detected that leads to an awareness of position.
Give 4 examples of proprioceptors
- Muscle spindles (masseter)
- Golgi tendon organs
- Joint receptors (TMJ)
- Inner ear
Name an example that is both an exteroceptor and proprioceptor
PDLM (Periodontal ligament mechanoreceptors)
What type of receptors are mechanoreceptors and what do they detect?
Exteroceptors;
Displacement
What is interoception?
Interoception refers to sensation from receptors in internal organs (e.g. GI tract, bladder)
Mechanoreception VS Touch
Mechanoreception refers to the detection of mechanical stimuli.
whereas
Touch is a sensory experience and therefore the CNS is involved.
Define Mechanoreception
Mechanoreception refers to the detection of mechanical stimuli which are applied externally (i.e. to the skin or oral mucous membrane)
What triggers/stimulates mechanoreceptors?
Mechanical distortion:
- pressure
- tension
- vibration
List the locations where mechanoreceptors are found (x6)
- Hairy skin
- Non-hairy skin
- Mucous membranes
- Periodontal Ligament
- Internal tissues (e.g. joints, muscles)
- Ear (sound) - cochlear hair cells
Define transduction
Transduction is the process of transforming energy from a stimulus (e.g. pressure) into coded action potentials.
Physical stimulus excites a mechanoreceptor and creates a receptor potential, which is converted into action potentials which propagate to the central nervous system via transduction.
What is the relation of transduction to mechanoreceptors?
Physical stimulus excites a mechanoreceptor and creates a receptor potential, which is converted into action potentials which propagate to the CNS via transduction.
Give 4 effects of the stimulation of mechanoreceptors
- Sensation of touch
- Reflex effects e.g. salivation or jaw reflexes
- Effect on other sensory modalities e.g. gate control theory involved in pain
- Gag reflex
Name an area where the sensation of touch is very well developed and an area where it is less well developed
well developed: Fingertips
less developed: Elbow / Back
Threshold forces on the lips and oral mucosa VS on the teeth
lips and oral mucosa: 10mg
teeth: 500mg
What does the two point threshold of discrimination measure?
It measures the density of mechanoreceptive nerves in a given area of the body.
List an area where the two point discrimination is low and an area where the discrimination threshold is high
Low: Finger tips / Orofacial regions (1-2mm)
High: Skin of the back (40-50mm)
What type of nerve fibres are mechanoreceptors associated with?
A-beta fibres
myelinated with fast conduction velocities
How can mechanoreceptors be classified physiologically?
- Rapidly adapting
2. Slowly adapting
What are Meissner corpuscle associated with?
Where are they located?
RA I receptors; non-hairy / glabrous skin
What are RA I receptors associated with?
Meissner corpuscle