Tutorial title - Somatosensory System

5 important questions on Tutorial title - Somatosensory System

State the 3 levels of the somatosensory system. Which is made up of sensory receptors, ascending pathways and circuits in the cerebral cortex?

Receptor level - made up of sensor receptors
Circuit level - ascending pathways
Perceptual level - circuits in the cerebral cortex

Why is the somatosensory system organised into receptor, circuit and perceptual levels?

allows the nervous system to detect stimuli (receptor), route (circuit) and process signals through pathways, and finally interpret them in the brain (perceptual)

In the pathway for sensory (afferent) division where does the impulse come from and where does it go? From what locations do somatic and visceral nerve fibers bring impulses from?

From receptors to the CNS
Somatic afferent fibers (from skin, skeletal muscles and joints)
Visceral afferent fibers (internal organs)
  • Higher grades + faster learning
  • Never study anything twice
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Discover Study Smart


What are receptive fields? What are the 2 kinds of combination of receptive fields that you can have?

An area that a given sensory receptor covers
Small receptive fields w/ high detail (finger receptors)
Large receptive fields w/ low detail (back receptors)

What is 2 point discrimination threshold? What does it measure?

the shortest distance at which a person can feel two separate touch points on their skin instead of just one.
It measures touch sensitivity and spatial detail.

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

  • A unique study and practice tool
  • Never study anything twice again
  • Get the grades you hope for
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Remember faster, study better. Scientifically proven.
Trustpilot Logo