PSYC 2410 Chapter Notes - Chapter 72: Postcentral Gyrus, Posterior Parietal Cortex, Ventral Posterior Nucleus
19 Apr 2012
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Document Summary
Somatosensory system system that mediates bodily sensations; consists of 3 separate but interacting systems. Proprioceptive system monitors information about the position of the body; information comes from muscles, joints and organs of balance. Interoceptive system provides general information about conditions within the body. Exteroceptive system senses external stimuli applied to the skin; comprised of 3 divisions: perceiving mechanical stimuli (touch); thermal stimuli (temperature); and nociceptive stimuli (pain) Free nerve endings neuron endings with no specialized structures; simplest cutaneous receptors; particularly sensitive to temperature change and pain. Pacinian corpuscles because they adapt rapidly, respond to sudden displacement of the skin but not to constant pressure; largest and deepest cutaneous receptors. Merkel"s disks and ruffini endings both adapt slowly and respond to gradual skin indentation and stretch. We"re often totally unaware of constant skin pressure (such as clothes) until we focus attention on it.
