Touch and Proprioception

These flashcards cover key concepts related to touch and proprioception, including definitions, functions, and mechanisms of sensory receptors.

Afferent signaling

The type of signaling that conveys sensory information to the brain.

Somatosensation

The diverse sensory system associated with afferent neurons in the skin, muscles, and joints concerned with the perception of touch, pressure, pain, temperature, position, movement, and vibration.

Proprioception

The ability to sense the position of limbs and other body parts in space via specialized receptors.

Mechanoreceptors

Receptors specialized to sense mechanical forces, including innocuous mechanical stimuli.

Action potential

A rapid rise and subsequent fall in voltage or membrane potential across a cellular membrane.

Peripheral nervous system

The part of the nervous system that consists of the nerves and ganglia outside the brain and spinal cord.

Dorsal root ganglion (DRG)

A cluster of nerve cell bodies in the dorsal root of a spinal nerve.

Receptive field (RF)

The area of the skin surface over which stimulation results in the generation of action potentials.

Two-point discrimination

The ability to discern that two nearby objects touching the skin are truly two distinct points rather than one.

Adaptation (sensory)

The decrease in responsiveness of a sensory receptor to a prolonged stimulus.

Pacinian corpuscles

Large mechanoreceptors located deep in the dermis that respond rapidly to changes in vibration and pressure.

Merkel cells

Specialized sensory cells that respond to tactile stimuli and are involved in the perception of fine touch.

Meissner corpuscles

Mechanoreceptors located in the upper dermis that detect changes in tactile stimulation.

Ruffini corpuscles

Mechanoreceptors sensitive to skin stretching and joint movement.

Sensory transduction

The process of converting the energy from a stimulus into an electrical signal.

Piezo1 and Piezo2

Types of ion channels critical for mechanosensation.

Gradation potential

The change in membrane potential due to external stimuli.

Skin layers

Different types of skin, including glabrous (hairless) and hairy skin, each with different sensory functions.

Feedback mechanisms in proprioception

Ways in which the body receives continuous information regarding movement and position.

Neural signaling cascade

The process by which signals are transmitted through networks of neurons, often involving neurotransmitters.