Types of Sensory Neurons
The different kinds of sensory stimuli that are picked up by sensory neurons are grouped into two categories: epicritic and protopathic.
Epicritic neurons detect gentle touch such as caresses; light vibrations; the ability to recognize the shape of an object being held; and two-point discrimination, or the spacing of two points being touched simultaneously.
Protopathic neurons are responsible for detecting pain, itch, tickle, and temperature. The different types of stimuli that are detected by a given receptor allow for a relative specificity between stimuli and receptor.
Read more about this topic: Cutaneous Innervation
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