Somatic Sensation Flashcards Preview

Semester 5- Neurology > Somatic Sensation > Flashcards

Flashcards in Somatic Sensation Deck (15)
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1
Q

What is sensation?

A

A physical feeling from stimulation of a sense organ

2
Q

What is somatic sensation?

A

Feeling detected by a body wall

3
Q

What is visceral sensation?

A

Feeling detected by an organ

4
Q

What is special sensation?

A

Feeling detected by a specialised cranial nerve

5
Q

What is a modality?

A

The stimulus that a specific receptor is sensitive to

6
Q

List 4 sensory modalities

A
Temperature
Pain 
Stretch
Vibration 
2-point discrimination 
Pressure
7
Q

Give an example of a tonic modality

A

Pain

8
Q

What is a tonic receptor?

A

A receptor which is slowly adapting to a stimulus. The stimulus is felt continuously at the same pressure so the person is constantly aware of the stimulus

9
Q

What is a phasic receptor?

A

A receptor which quickly adapts to the stimulus so the stimulus is felt initially and then although it remains present, is not felt over time

10
Q

Give an example of a phasic modality

A

Pressure

11
Q

What is a receptive field?

A

The area that 1 sensory nerve supplies

12
Q

When is receptor acuity at its best?

A

When there is a high density of sensory neurones and the receptive fields are very small

13
Q

Why can dermatomal boundaries overlap?

A

Receptive fields can overlap so on the edges of dermatomal boundaries the edges blur

14
Q

What is lateral inhibition?

A

More than 1 nerve is stimulated but the brain wishes to know which is stimulated more. The lateral nerves to the most stimulated nerve are inhibited by a inhibitory interneurone.

15
Q

What is the function of lateral inhibition?

A

Enhance receptor acuity