Sensory Pathways and Somatic Nervous System

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and definitions related to sensory pathways and the somatic nervous system, aiding in understanding for exam preparation.

Somatic Nervous System

The system that communicates with our skeletal muscles to allow for body movements in response to information from the body.

Afferent Neurons

Neurons that take sensory information to the brain and spinal cord.

Efferent Neurons

Neurons that send motor commands from the central nervous system back out to the body's periphery.

Primary Somatosensory Area

An area in the parietal lobe where sensory information is perceived.

Interneurons

Neurons that allow for the processing of information within the central nervous system, positioned between sensory and motor neurons.

Myelinated Fibers

A fibers that communicate quickly due to their larger size and presence of myelin.

Unmyelinated Fibers

C fibers that are slower due to lack of myelin.

Transduction

The process of converting a stimulus into an action potential.

Receptive Field

The area of the body that is monitored by a single receptor; smaller fields allow for better localization of stimuli.

Sensation vs. Perception

Sensation is the arrival of information at the central nervous system; perception is the awareness of that information.

General Senses

Senses including temperature, pain, touch, and pressure.

Special Senses

Specific senses including sight, hearing, taste, smell, and balance.

Tonic Receptors

Receptors that are always active and show little adaptation, such as pain receptors.

Phasic Receptors

Receptors that are normally inactive but activate in response to a stimulus, quickly adapting to changes.

Baroreceptors

Receptors that monitor pressure changes in organs, such as the intestines and blood vessels.

Proprioceptors

Receptors that provide information about body position and movement.

Nociceptors

Receptors that detect pain stimuli.

Mechanoreceptors

Receptors that respond to physical changes in the environment, such as pressure or distortion.

Chemoreceptors

Receptors that monitor chemical changes in the body, such as pH, CO2, and O2 levels.

Spinothalamic Pathway

A somatic sensory pathway that transmits pain and temperature information to the brain.

Posterior Column Pathway

A somatic sensory pathway for fine touch and proprioception that ascends to the brain.

Spinocerebellar Pathway

A somatic sensory pathway that transmits information about body position to the cerebellum.

Decussation

The crossing over of nerve fibers to the opposite side, typically occurring in the brainstem or spinal cord.