Introduction to Sensation Sensory Threshold

(Felipe C. Barbon, MD)

Capacity of the sensory arm to process a stimulus

Attitude of the subject towards the sensory experience

Sensory Receptors

Body transducers

First structure affected by a change inside or outside the body Types of Sensations

Very low threshold for a particular stimulus Exteroceptive

Interoceptive
o Adequate stimulus
Epicritic
Specificity Protopathic

Maybe a part of a neuron or a specialized cell that initiates Special

generation of AP in a neuron General

Adaptation Immediate (acute)

Delayed (chronic)

Classification of Sensory Afferent Neurons (Conduction Velocity)

Type A neurons
o Alpha 120 m/s
o Beta 70 m/s
o Gamma 40 m/s
o Delta 15 m/s

Type C neurons
o 0.5 m/s less than 15 m/s

Type B neurons
o Pre-ganglionic autonomic fibers (not sensory neurons)

Classification (functional distribution/size)

Group IA muscle spindle, myelinated

(about 17 microns in diameter)

Group Ib golgi-tendon organ, myelinated

(about 16 microns in diameter)

Group II fine touch, fine pressure, muscle spindle, myelinated

(about 8 microns in diameter)

Group III crude touch, crude pressure, pain, temperature,

myelinated (about 3 microns in diameter)

Group IV crude touch, crude pressure, itch, pain, temperature,

myelinated (about 0.5-2 microns in diameter)

Parameters:

Quality or modality of sensation

Sensory Arm of the Reflex Arc
Stimulus of intensity
Activation of sensory receptors Activation of sensory afferent neurons
Center (Brain) Sensation Awareness
Location body part stimulated

Timing

1 Shannen Kaye B. Apolinario, RMT

Quality or Modality of Sensation

Law of Specific Nerve Energies

Mullers doctrine

Labeled Line Principle

Coding mechanism

Coding Mechanism

Temporal pattern coding - sensation depends on the pattern of

neuronal activity

o Temperature <37 *C neuron firing in bursts

o Temperature >30*C neuron firing without bursts

Spatial pattern coding sensation depends on the number of

neurons/receptors activated

o Sour taste is due to simultaneous activation of 3 neurons

o Salty taste is due to simultaneous activation of 2 neurons

Stimulus Intensity

Frequency of action potential (Power law)

Weber Fechner law ratio 1:30

Number of receptors recruitment of sensory units

Law of Projection

No matter where a sensory neuron is stimulated along its

course to the sensory cortex, the conscious sensation produced is
referred to the location of the sensory receptors using the activated
sensory neuron

Location body part stimulated

Topognosis

Law of Projection

Sensory unit / Receptive field

Lateral inhibition mechanism

2 Shannen Kaye B. Apolinario, RMT

 2-Point Threshold for Different Regions of the Body

Body part Mean 2-point threshold (mm)

Big toe 10
Sole 22
Calf 48
Back 42
Upper arm 47
Palm 13
Forehead 18
Thumb 3
Sensitivity Lips 1-2

Two-point discrimination

Two-point threshold

Stereognosis

Graphestesia

3 Shannen Kaye B. Apolinario, RMT

 Mechanisms of Adaptation

Readjustment in the shape or structure of the sensory receptor

Change in the chemical agent used

Accommodation in the terminal nerve fiber (inactivation of Na+

channels)

*** Importance?

*** Requirement?

Adaptation (Desensitization)

Rapidly adapting receptors

o Rate receptors

o Phasic receptors

o Movement receptors

o Detect time of stimulus application and removal

o Show a decline in the frequency AP generation with time

Slowly adapting receptors

o Tonic receptors

Non-adapting receptors

o Tonic receptors

o Generate AP repetitively

o Detect steady stimulus

Therefore, as Gods chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe

yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and
patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you
may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And
over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in
perfect unity.
-Colossians 3:12-14

GOD BLESS YOU!

4 Shannen Kaye B. Apolinario, RMT