Understanding Sensation and Perception

These flashcards cover key concepts related to sensation and perception, as well as the anatomical structures involved in sensory processing.

Sensation

The process of becoming consciously aware of external stimuli through the central nervous system.

Perception

The understanding and interpretation of sensory information, heavily influenced by prior knowledge.

Fusiform gyrus

A brain region involved in distinguishing between real perceptions and imagined stimuli.

Mechanoreceptors

Sensory receptors that respond to mechanical energy such as touch, sound waves, and pressure.

Thermoreceptors

Sensory receptors that respond to changes in temperature.

Photoreceptors

Sensory receptors that respond to light, including rods and cones in the retina.

Pain receptors

Receptors that respond to tissue damage and excessive pressure or temperature.

Chemoreceptors

Receptors sensitive to chemical stimuli, including taste and smell.

Phantom limb pain (PLP)

The sensation of pain in an amputated limb, often perceived as tingling or sharp pain.

Referred pain

Pain that is perceived at a location other than the site of the painful stimulus.

Vestibular apparatus

The organ of balance in the inner ear, includes semicircular canals and is responsible for sensing head position and acceleration.

Olfactory receptors

Receptors located in the nasal cavity that detect odorants and contribute to the sense of smell.

Cochlea

A structure in the inner ear responsible for converting sound waves into neural signals.

Rods and Cones

Photoreceptors in the retina; rods are for dim light vision, and cones are for color vision.

Action potentials

Nerve signals that arise from changes in ion flow across the cell membrane, important for sensory neuron signaling.

Nearsightedness (myopia)

A vision condition where close objects are seen clearly, but distant objects are blurry due to the focal point being in front of the retina.

Farsightedness (hyperopia)

A vision condition where distant objects are seen clearly, but near objects are blurry because the focal point is behind the retina.

Astigmatism

An abnormal curvature of the cornea or lens that leads to blurred vision.

Otoliths

Small crystals found in the vestibule that help sense balance and head position.

Wave amplitude

Determines the loudness (intensity) of sound.

Wave frequency

Determines the tone (pitch) of sound.

Visual acuity

The clarity or sharpness of vision, highest at the central area of the retina (macula).