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Chapter 13.1 Getting Introduced to Special Senses

BOOK TITLE: Understanding Medical Physiology: A Textbook for Medical Students

Author
1. Bijlani R.L.
ISBN
9788180612213
DOI
10.5005/jp/books/10999_14
Edition
3/e
Publishing Year
2004
Pages
4
Author Affiliations
1. All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
Chapter keywords
special senses, hearing, taste, smell, skin receptors, specific pathways, cortical area, topographic representation

Abstract

This chapter discusses getting introduced to special senses, where special senses generally include vision, hearing, taste and smell. The basic mechanisms employed by special senses are similar to those in case of skin receptors. The stimulus is transducted by the receptor, its intensity coded, and the impulses transmitted by specific and non-specific pathways. The specific pathways travel via the thalamus to a well-defined cortical area which has topographic representation. Information is collected about changes taking place in both the external and internal environment. On the basis of this information the body decides on the most appropriate action. The entire range of stimuli still consists of only a small fraction of the changes that possibly take place in our environment.

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