NROC64H3 : Chapter 12.docx
1 Mar 2013
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Document Summary
Somatic sensation: detection of: touch, pain, temperature, body position. Unique features of the somatic system: receptors distributed throughout the body, group of 4+ senses rather than one collective sense, a single sensory receptor can encode stimulus features such as. Intensity: duration, position, direction, a single stimulus activates many receptors, the central nervous system interprets the activity of the vast receptor array and uses it to generate coherent perceptions. Two major types of skin: hairy, glabrous, hairless. Layers of skin: epidermis, outer layer, dermis. Function of skin: protective function, prevents evaporation of body fluids into the dry environment, largest sensory organ. Pacinian corpuscle: largest receptor in the somatic system that lies deep in the dermis (inner layer of skin). Ruffini"s endings: found in both hairy and glabrous skin. Meissner"s corpuscles: 1/10 the size of pacinian corpuscles and are located in the ridges of glabrous skin.
