Somatic and Tactile Senses Quiz

What type of information do ascending tracts in the spinal cord typically convey?

Which of the following is NOT a component of a somatosensory pathway?

What kind of modalities are NOT conveyed by the dorsal column/medial lemniscus pathway?

What is the primary function of the anterolateral (spinothalamic) pathway?

Which term best describes proprioception?

How do somatic senses differ from other types of senses?

What are the main types of somatic sensations described in the text?

Which modality-specific ascending somatosensory pathway conveys information about pressure, proprioception, vibration, and touch?

What is the function of the third order neuron in a somatosensory pathway?

How does the first order neuron reach the thalamus in the somatosensory pathway?

Which sensory receptors are involved in differentiating between stimuli of different modalities at the fingertip?

How can incoming sensory inputs from primary sensory axons be modified at the level of the spinal cord?

Somatic Senses

Somatic senses are senses that you are consciously aware of.

Tactile Senses

Tactile senses include touch, pressure, vibration, itch, tickle, and temperature.
These senses are also referred to as "touch" senses.

Pain

Pain refers to the sensation of various stimuli (chemical, thermal, mechanical) associated with tissue damage.

Proprioception

Proprioception is the awareness of where your limbs are in space and how they are moving.

Ascending and Descending Tracts

Ascending tracts in the spinal cord convey sensory information.
Descending tracts in the spinal cord convey motor information.

Somatosensory Pathways

Somatosensory pathways are sensory pathways involved in the perception and sensation of somatic senses.
Components of a somatosensory pathway include:
- First-order neurons (transduce somatic stimulus)
- Second-order neurons (relay information from sensory neurons to thalamus or spinal cord)
- Third-order neurons (relay information from thalamus to somatosensory cortex)

Dorsal Column/Medial Lemniscus Pathway

This pathway conveys pressure, proprioception, touch, and vibration modalities.
Components of this pathway include:
- First-order neuron (transduces somatic stimulus and enters spinal cord on one side of the body)
- Second-order neuron (crosses over to opposite side of medulla and ascends to thalamus)
- Third-order neuron (travels from thalamus and synapses in primary somatosensory cortex)

Anterolateral (Spinothalamic) Pathway

This pathway conveys pain, itch, temperature, and tickle modalities.

Differentiation of Stimuli

Differentiation between stimuli of different modalities in the same body part occurs through:
- Sensory receptors specific to each modality
- Neurons onto which they synapse in the ascending sensory systems

Test your knowledge on somatic senses, tactile senses, pain, and proprioception with this quiz. Learn about different sensations and awareness of body movements.