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Human Body
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ted by intense pressure, heat or cold, if tissue damage is produced. There is little or no adaptation of these receptors. Pain impulses are transmitted to the thalamus and relayed to the cerebral cortex for recognition of the kind of pain and localization. Psychic reactions to pain, such as anguish, apxiety, are modified by one's personality, emotional state, ethnic and cultural background. Temperature
The thermal receptors adapt quickly so that a hot bath or a cold swimming pool soon becomes bearable. They are non-uniformly distributed over the body. The lips and mucous membranes of the mouth and rectum are highly temperature-sensitive but other mucous membranes. of the body are insensitive to temperature.
5. VISCERAL RECEPTORS Sense receptors described above bring in information about the external environment. But the brain needs a continued flow of information about what is happening inside the body as well and the internal organs are also supplied with receptors which are called visceral receptors. They are concerned with respiration, heart-beat, size of the blood vessels and such other vital functions. Usually the conditions are attended to automatically. Mild problems such as hunger or a feeling of fullness in the bowels or bladder, are readily remedied. Visceral pain, on the other hand, may call for a medical assistance.
6. THE KINESTHETIC SENSE The term Kinesthesia is used to denote the conscious recognition of the orientation of the different parts of the body. This 'position sense' is provided by specialized proprioceptors located in the joints, capsules, ligaments, muscles and tendons. Impulses are transmitted to the cerebellum and result in reflex adjustment of the muscles. All kinesthetic transmissions are performed at a high speed.
1. The prefix 'proprio' means self.
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