1. MEDS 371, Systems Neuroscience Peripheral Somatosensory System
Dr. D. O. Kim

2. Reading:
Purves et al.
Chapter 9

3. - identity of stimulus ("what")
Sensory neurons encode the following attributes.
- modality of stimulus
- location of stimulus ("where")
- identity of stimulus ("what")
pattern (texture);
intensity;
timing;

4. receptive field: a part of sensory space where
application of a stimulus leads to
excitation (or inhibition) of a
sensory neuron

6. The resolution of neural encoding
depends upon:
(1) receptive field size
(2) innervation density (neurons/cm2)

7. receptive fields
DRG
Kandel 2000

8. neuro4e-fig jpg
Purves Fig 9-3

9. From Darian-Smith, 1984

10. neuro4e-fig jpg
Purves Fig 9-3

11. neuro4e-fig jpg
Purves Fig 9-5

12. Purves Table 9.2

14. Kandel 2000

17. Braille
patterns SA RA
Pacinian

18. proprioceptors of limbs & trunk: muscle receptors: muscle spindle
Golgi tendon organ
joint capsule receptor
proprior system of the head & neck:
vestibular system
muscle receptors of the neck

21. neuro4e-fig jpg
Purves Fig 9-7a

22. spinal cord dorsal spino- column thalamic tract Purves Fig 9-1
neuro4e-fig jpg
Purves Fig 9-1

23. neuro4e-table jpg
Purves Table 9-1

24. - identity of stimulus ("what")
Sensory neurons encode the following attributes.
- modality of stimulus
- location of stimulus ("where")
- identity of stimulus ("what")
pattern (texture);
intensity;
timing;