Physiology, Sensory System.

Author: Gadhvi M1, Waseem M2
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>All India Institute of Medical Sciences <sup>2</sup>Lincoln Medical Center / SGU
Conference/Journal: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing
Date published: 2019 Oct 5
Other: Word Count: 301


Humans can perceive various types of sensations, and with this information, our motor movement is determined. We become aware of the world by way of sensation. Sensations can also be protective to the body, by registering environmental cold or warm, and painful needle prick, for example. From the soft touch of the child to the painful punch of a boxer, all the daily activities carry associations with sensations.[1] Broadly, these sensations can classify into two categories. First, general sensations which include touch, pain, temperature, proprioception, and pressure. Vision, hearing, taste, and smell are special senses which convey sensations to the brain through cranial nerves. In this activity, the discussion will be limited to general sensations. Bodily touch can be fine touch or deep touch; the differentiating factor is the receptors which are stimulated by the touch. Long-standing sitting or pressure over any body part can be called a sense of pressure. High-frequency vibrations can be perceived by our bodies so that we can walk and perform fine movements. When one goes in hot or cold places or as the ambient temperature changes, we register the temperature because of thermoreceptors. They are useful for protection against very high or very low temperatures because, during that time, the nervous system registers pain. To walk or to move, the brain has to know about the position of different joints and muscles perceived via proprioception. We all are aware of pain sensation. Though it is a "negative" perception, it is vitally important; only by becoming aware of the noxious response, we can remove the initiating stimulus. All these sensations begin with skin receptors and get conveyed through spinal neurons to the brain.

Copyright © 2019, StatPearls Publishing LLC.

Sections
Introduction
Cellular
Organ Systems Involved
Mechanism
Related Testing
Clinical Significance
Questions
References
PMID: 31613436
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