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Related Concept Videos

Somatosensation01:33

Somatosensation

36.5K
The somatosensory system relays sensory information from the skin, mucous membranes, limbs, and joints. Somatosensation is more familiarly known as the sense of touch. A typical somatosensory pathway includes three types of long neurons: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Primary neurons have cell bodies located near the spinal cord in groups of neurons called dorsal root ganglia. The sensory neurons of ganglia innervate designated areas of skin called dermatomes.
36.5K
Overview of Somatic Sensory Pathways01:29

Overview of Somatic Sensory Pathways

4.3K
Somatic sensory or somatosensory pathways refer to the neural pathways that carry information related to touch, pressure, pain, temperature, and proprioception from the skin, muscles, tendons, and joints to the brain. These pathways involve several stages of processing and integration of sensory information.
The somatosensory system is divided into three main pathways: the dorsal (or posterior) column-medial lemniscus, spinothalamic (or anterolateral), and spinocerebellar pathways.
The dorsal...
4.3K
Sensory Perception: Organization of the Somatosensory System01:11

Sensory Perception: Organization of the Somatosensory System

2.9K
The somatosensory system is the central and peripheral nervous system component that senses and processes touch, pressure, pain, temperature, and body position or proprioception. The process of sensation takes place at three levels:
The receptor level:
The receptor level is the first stage of sensation. It involves the detection of a stimulus by specialized sensory receptors. The stimulus must arrive within the receptor's receptive field. Next, the receptor converts the energy of the...
2.9K
Major Somatic Sensory Pathways01:28

Major Somatic Sensory Pathways

928
Sensory impulses related to touch, pressure, vibration, and proprioception from various body parts, such as the limbs, trunk, neck, and posterior head, travel to the cerebral cortex through the posterior column-medial lemniscus pathway. The pathway’s name derives from the two white-matter tracts that convey the impulses: the spinal cord's posterior column and the brainstem's medial lemniscus. First-order sensory neurons extend their axons into the spinal cord, forming the...
928
Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex01:24

Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex

432
The somatosensory cortex in the parietal lobes is crucial for interpreting sensory data such as touch, temperature, and proprioception. The somatosensory cortex, situated in the parietal lobes, plays a vital role in interpreting sensory information like touch, temperature, and proprioception—awareness of body position. This specialized brain region features an organized structure wherein neurons at the top primarily process sensations originating from the lower body. In contrast, those at...
432
What is a Sensory System?01:31

What is a Sensory System?

93.0K
Sensory systems detect stimuli—such as light and sound waves—and transduce them into neural signals that can be interpreted by the nervous system. In addition to external stimuli detected by the senses, some sensory systems detect internal stimuli—such as the proprioceptors in muscles and tendons that send feedback about limb position.
93.0K

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Brain Mapping Using a Graphene Electrode Array
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Assembling a physical model helps students grasp human somatosensory pathways.

Jeremy S Morris1, G R Davis1, Lori Cruze1

  • 1Department of BiologyWofford College Spartanburg South Carolina United States.

Advances in Physiology Education
|September 26, 2024
PubMed
Summary

This study introduces a 3D physical model for teaching somatosensory pathways, enhancing student comprehension and enjoyment in neuroscience and physiology education. The model effectively connects spinal cord injuries to sensory deficits, improving learning outcomes.

Keywords:
active learningnervous systemphysical modelphysiologysomatosensory pathways

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Physiology
  • Anatomy Education

Background:

  • Somatosensory pathways are complex and challenging for students in neuroscience and physiology.
  • Active learning with physical models improves content comprehension and engagement.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present a novel 3D physical model of somatosensory pathways.
  • To assess the effectiveness of this model in an upper-level human physiology lab.

Main Methods:

  • Students assembled a 3D physical model using affordable materials.
  • Students used the model to answer case study questions linking spinal cord damage to sensory deficits.

Main Results:

  • The model-based activity led to significant increases in students' content knowledge.
  • Students reported positive feedback on the activity's effectiveness and enjoyment.

Conclusions:

  • The 3D somatosensory pathway model is an effective and engaging tool for learning complex neuroanatomy and physiology.
  • This activity supports evidence-based teaching practices, promoting mastery and inclusion in higher education.