Touch

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Structure of Skin Senses

Skin SensesContains nerve endingsCan feel: warmth, touch, pain, and pleasureMore dense (sensitive) in the tongue, face and handsTouch can stimulate sexual arousal

Phantom Limb- Contrary to the typical, archaic, misinformed belief of the general public, the sensations of pain and pleasure are developed and processed within the general vicinity of the Somato-sensory cortex, not the confines of the exterior ligaments

Phantom Limb continuedHenceforth, an extraordinary (du du dududu) phenomena deemed the title Phantom Limb may occur in which a person who has faced the tribulation of amputation will perceive an impossible sensation of external experience.

Energy TransductionTransfer of information from one place to anotherSensory neurons transfer messages through pathways to the brain

Gate-Control TheoryTransports with slow and fast fibersSensation can be blocked by Spinal GatePain can be relieved by other stimulusPain not noticed in heat of the moment

Dealing With PainPain is essential to survivalPain relief can be achieved with drugsPlacebos are consistently effectiveEndorphins are released to help with pain

Pain TolerancePain threshold varies from person to personElectric shocks range from 8 times voltage to inflict painHigh sensitivity to pain correlates with activation in the thalamus

SensesTactile Sense: input from the skin receptors about touch, pressure, temperature, pain, and movement of the hairs on the skin. Kinesthetic sense: provides the brain with information on the relative positions of the parts of the body. Vestibular Sense: input from the inner ear about equilibrium, gravitational changes, movement experiences, and position in space. Cutaneous senses - the faculty by which external objects or forces are perceived through contact with the body

Vestibular SensesSense of balanceControlled by copula in the ear canalRotation and oscillation of fluid in inner ear alters balance

Cutaneous SensesPerception of external object through touchProvides perception of weight and texture

Kinesthetic SenseSense of spatial awarenessFeeling of where you areWhy people are capable of identifying parts of body without eyes open

Common Sensory DisordersSensory integration disorder/dysfunctionCan lead to problems in relationships, self-esteem, emotions, learning, daily functions.Hypersensitivity to touch (common in children):Fear pf even light or unexpected touchFrightened by something

Hypersensitivity To Touch (Tactile Defensiveness) Upset by even light touch.Wind, raindrops, brushing teeth.Avoids certain textures, materials, foods, temperatures.

Hyposensitivity To Touch (Under-Responsive): Not bothered by injuries, like cuts and bruises, and shows no distress with shotsLikes surfaces and textures that provide strong tactile stimulation. Has a preference and craving for excessively spicy, sweet, sour, or salty foods.

Key PointsSensation in brain not skin. Different people have different pain thresholds Information transfer can be blocked by other messagesPain is actually useful

Vocabulary WordsInner ear: essential part of the vertebrae organ of hearing and equilibrium that typically is located in the temporal bone.

Semicircular canals: any of the three curved tubular canals in the labyrinth of the ear, associated with the sense of equilibrium.

Utricle: the larger of 2 divisions of the membranous labyrinth of the internal ear. Sematosensory (sensory) cortex: any part of the brain that receives messages from a sense organ.

Kinesthetic sense: awareness of movement or activity in muscles or joints.

Vocabulary ContinuedPhantom limb sensation: perception of sensations, usually including pain, in an arm or a leg after limb has been amputated.

Cutaneous sense: external object or forces are perceived through contact with body.

Pain: physical suffering or distress, as due to injury, illness, etc.

Control theory: behavior is inspired by what a person wants most at any given time. (William Glasser)Cutaneous receptors: a specialized cell or group of nerve endings that respond to a sensory stimulus.

Gate control theory: an explanation for pain control that proposes we have a neural gate that can in some circumstances, block incoming pain signals.

Vocabulary ContinuedMechanoreceptors: primary neurons that respond to mechanical stimuli by firing action potentials.Thermoreceptors: nerve ending sensitive to stimulation by heat Nocioreceptors: respond to extreme harmful stimuli by producing the sensation of painAcupuncture: procedure of inserting and manipulating needles into various parts of the body to relieve pain.Lamaze method: breathing and relaxing techniques used during childbirth.

BibliographyWelcome to the Sensory Processing Disorder Resource Center (2010, February). In Sensory Processing Disorder. Retrieved November 10, 2010, from http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/Sense of Touch (2010). In Home Science Tools. Retrieved November 10, 2010, from http://www.hometrainingtools.com/skin-touch/a/1388/ Your Sense of Touch (2010). In The Senses. Retrieved November 10, 2010, from http://library.thinkquest.org/3750/touch/touch.html