Somatosensory Signals and the Nervous System

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts related to somatosensory signals and their processing in the nervous system, emphasizing their pathways, anatomical structures, and implications in neurological assessments.

Dorsal Root Ganglion

The cluster of sensory neurons located in the dorsal root of spinal nerves.

Anterior Spinocephalamic Tract

A neural pathway that carries information about touch, pressure, and proprioception to the brain.

Contralateral Organization

The phenomenon whereby sensory signals on one side of the body are processed by the opposite side of the brain.

Medial Lemniscus

A structure in the brainstem where sensory signals cross from one side of the body to the other.

Proprioception

The sense of the relative position of one's own body parts and strength of effort being employed in movement.

Thalamus

The brain structure that acts as a relay station for sensory information before it reaches the cerebral cortex.

Ipsilateral

Referring to structures on the same side of the body.

Fine Touch

The ability to detect light touch and texture.

Nociceptors

Sensory receptors that respond to pain signals.

Somatosensory Cortex

The area of the brain that processes tactile information.

Homunculus

A visual representation of the body in a distorted form, representing the relative sensory importance of different body parts.

Dorsal Horns

Areas in the spinal cord that receive sensory input.

Ventral Horns

Areas in the spinal cord that send motor signals to the body.

Touch Signals

Sensory information related to physical contact with the skin.

Pressure Signals

Sensory information related to the force applied to the skin.

Pain Signals

Sensory information indicating potential harm through stimuli.

Temperature Signals

Sensory information regarding thermal states detected by receptors.

Spinal Cord

The long, thin bundle of nervous tissue that extends from the brainstem.

Neurosurgeon

A physician specializing in surgery on the nervous system.

Cerebral Cortex

The outer layer of the brain involved in complex functions like thought and sensation.

Dorsal, Posterior Root Ganglion

Another term for the cluster of sensory neurons in the spinal cord.

Pain and Temperature Pathway

The neural pathway for pain and temperature sensations crosses immediately in the spinal cord.

Touch and Proprioception Pathway

The neural pathway for touch and proprioception sensations crosses at the brainstem.

Contralateral Processing

The processing of sensory information on the opposite side of the body.

Wilder Penfield

A prominent neurosurgeon known for his research on the somatosensory cortex.

Body Mapping

The representation of different body parts within the brain's somatosensory areas.

Dual Somatosensory Cortex

There are two somatosensory cortexes, one in each hemisphere of the brain.

Giant Hands and Lips in the Homunculus

The disproportionate representation of hands and lips in the somatosensory cortex due to their sensory importance.

Stroke or Injury Indicators

Symptoms that indicate possible damage to specific areas of the central nervous system.

Neuroanatomical Lesions

Damage to specific areas in the nervous system that can affect sensory processing.

Sensory Relay Function

The role of the thalamus in routing sensory information.

Cortex Mapping

The study of how different parts of the body are represented in the brain.

Body Sensation Pathways

Different sensory pathways for various sensations like touch, pressure, pain, and temperature.

Central Nervous System

The brain and spinal cord, which process information and regulate bodily functions.

Sensory Input Tracts

Different tracts that carry sensory information to the brain.

Interactive Learning

The process of engaging with educational content actively, such as asking questions.

Exam Preparation Strategy

Techniques to ensure clear understanding of complex topics before assessments.