Auditory and Somatosensory Systems

A series of flashcards covering essential concepts in the auditory and somatosensory systems learned during lectures.

What is the basic function of the auditory system?

To process sound waves and retrieve information about frequency, amplitude, and location of sound.

How is frequency measured, and what does it relate to in sound perception?

Frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz) or cycles per second and is perceived as pitch.

What role does the outer ear play in hearing?

The outer ear, comprising the pinna and ear canal, collects sound and directs it to the tympanic membrane.

What is the role of the cochlea in the auditory system?

The cochlea converts vibrations into neural signals for hearing.

How do hair cells in the cochlea contribute to auditory transduction?

Vibrations cause displacement of stereocilia, opening ion channels that lead to nerve impulses.

What is phase locking in auditory processing?

Phase locking refers to the ability of hair cells to signal the frequency of fluid waves with great fidelity up to approximately 1000 Hz.

What are the three main components of the somatosensory system?

Mechanoreceptors, pain receptors, and proprioceptors.

How do mechanoreceptors function in the somatosensory system?

They convert physical deformation into electrical signals interpreted by the nervous system.

What are the different types of mechanoreceptors and their functions?

Merkel cells detect pressure and texture; Meissner’s corpuscles sense light touch; Ruffini endings detect skin stretch; Pacinian corpuscles respond to deep pressure.

What is the primary role of proprioceptive receptors?

To inform the brain about body position and movement.

Describe the pathway of somatosensory information from the skin to the brain.

Sensory neurons in the skin send signals through the dorsal root to the spinal cord, then to the thalamus and ultimately to the somatosensory cortex.

What is the role of the primary auditory cortex?

To receive input from the medial geniculate nucleus and process conscious perceptions of sound including pitch, loudness, and location.

What happens during the myotatic reflex?

A muscle contraction occurs in response to muscle stretching, mediated by muscle spindle signals.

What are the two types of pain pathways identified in the pain system?

Sensory-discriminative pathways that determine the location and intensity of pain, and affective-motivational pathways that relate to the unpleasant feelings associated with pain.

What is the flexor reflex?

A withdrawal reflex that causes the contraction of flexor muscles in response to painful stimuli.

What role do the basal ganglia play in motor systems?

They suppress unwanted movements and assist in initiating movements.

What is the function of the cerebellum in relation to motor control?

It helps correct motor errors by comparing intended movements with actual movements.