Sensory receptors perform countless functions in our bodies including mediating vision, hearing, taste, touch, and more. 2 examples are the baroreceptor,a nerve ending that is sensitive to changes in blood pressure, and a photoreceptor which is a specialized neuron able to detect and react to light. These receptors of the skin, …show more content…
The sensory receptor detects a stimulus. The interneurons receive inputs from sensory receptors and synapse on motor neurons. The effects on motor neurons can be excitatory or inhibitory. Lastly, motor neurons produce muscle contraction, and motor response. Reflexes often have effects in groups of motor neurons to different muscles; sometimes at different joints in the same limb or in a different limb. Reflexes are valuable tools for clinical evaluation of how our nervous system is functioning. For reflex to occur, all elements must be functional and our pathways must be intact. If reflexes are absent, the physician can diagnose where the pathway has been interrupted and can diagnose where function is compromised.
Three types of sensory receptors are 1. Exteroceptors 2.Interoceptors 3.Proprioceptors. Exteroceptors receive sensory information from outside of the body. Examples: Visual, auditory, tactile, gustatory, and olfactory. Interoceptors receive sensory information from inside the body. Detect internal body sensation. Examples: stomach pain, pinched spinal nerves, and deep skin inflammation. Proprioceptors are unconscious information received. Detect body position in space and movement and are located in the muscles, tendons, and joints inside the body and semicircular canals of the inner