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Related Concept Videos

Sensation01:21

Sensation

Sensory receptors are specialized neurons that respond to specific types of external stimuli, initiating the process known as sensation. This occurs when sensory input, such as light entering the eye, is detected by these receptors, causing chemical changes in the cells of the retina. These cells then convert the sensory stimulus into action potentials that are transmitted to the central nervous system, a process termed transduction.
Absolute thresholds can quantify the sensitivity of sensory...
Somatosensation01:33

Somatosensation

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.
Sensory Perception: Organization of the Somatosensory System01:11

Sensory Perception: Organization of the Somatosensory System

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 stimulus...
Sensory Functions of the Skin01:16

Sensory Functions of the Skin

The skin is the largest organ of the human body and plays a crucial role in our sensory perception. It contains a vast network of sensory receptors that contribute to the skin's protective function by perceiving physical, biological, and environmental cues and generating relevant responses.
There are two main categories of receptors on the skin: capsulated and non-capsulated. The non-capsulated ones are mainly the pain receptors. The capsulated ones can be further categorized based on the...

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Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Evaluating the Function of the Foot Core System in the Elderly
08:25

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Published on: March 11, 2022

Posture dependent changes in perceptual threshold during light touch foot sole stimulation.

Justin Watts1, Fraser MacRae1,2, Sue Peters1,3

  • 1School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, ON, Canada.

Somatosensory & Motor Research
|July 1, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Foot sole light touch sensitivity is reduced when standing compared to sitting or lying down. This finding suggests standing assessments may better reflect the foot

Keywords:
Posturelight-touch stimulationsensory perception

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biomechanics
  • Human Physiology

Background:

  • Light touch sensitivity of the foot sole is crucial for balance and proprioception.
  • Current assessment methods typically involve seated or supine positions, which may not reflect functional conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of posture on light touch perception thresholds across the foot sole.
  • To compare light touch sensitivity in standing, seated, and supine positions.

Main Methods:

  • Light touch perceptual threshold (LTPT) was measured in 19 healthy volunteers using Semmes-Weinstein Monofilaments.
  • Thresholds were assessed at the 1st metatarsal, lateral arch, and heel in standing, seated, and supine postures.

Main Results:

  • LTPT was significantly higher in the standing posture compared to seated and supine postures for all tested locations.
  • Thresholds were higher in the seated posture than supine, but only at the heel.

Conclusions:

  • Postural variations significantly alter light touch sensitivity of the foot sole.
  • Assessing light touch perception in a standing position may provide more ecologically valid data for understanding foot sole cutaneous feedback during activities like walking.