Albertino Bigiani wrote:
>> Hi!
> I'd like to know if somatotopic organization applies only to skin
> mechanoreceptors or to skin thermorecetpors and nociceptors as well.
> Can anybody help me on this?
Hi, from a neuroscientist/medical writer. This is not my main area, but
I've thought that the somatotopic organization was true for the
postcentral gyrus and sensory receptors in general, analogous to the
____topic representations in the primary motor cortex, visual areas,
etc. I never heard of the somatotopic organization being broken down
into the various sensory receptors, but it certainly may be true.
Perhaps someone with more expertise could elucidate? I'd appreciate a
reference for the next time I teach A&P, as I try to keep the course
relatively current.
Incidentally, who was/were responsible for leaving us with the term
"receptor" to refer to both a binding site (eg, an ACh receptor) and a
sensory structure (eg, a rod or cone)? One of my more minor pet peeves
with neuroscience :-)
-Mike
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Michael J. Stillman, Ph.D.
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