The function of the sensory nerves is toacceptstimuli from outside the body to be conveyed to the brain. This allows the brain to respond accordingly to the given stimuli.
The function of sensory nerves in general is to allow us to see, hear, recognize smells, and last but not least, feel something physically. This sense function belongs to the somatosensory system.
The sensory system or the senses works specifically in detecting certain stimuli. For example, the eye can only perceive light and color stimuli, while the ear can only detect sound. However, sometimes there are people who can feel certain stimuli, even though the stimulus they receive is not intended for that sense. This condition is called synesthesia.
The function of the sensory nerves in the somatosensory system in general is to sense touch, temperature, and pain stimuli. More specifically, this nervous system can make us feel fine and gross touch, vibration, pressure, and movement and changes in body position.
Functions of Sensory Nerves in the Somatosensory System
All stimuli are received by the body through receptors, then sent to the peripheral nerves, to the spinal cord, and finally to the brain. The body has many receptors and each has its own duties and functions. The following are some types of receptors in the somatosensory system:
1. Pain
Nociceptors or commonly referred to as pain receptors are receptors whose job is to transmit pain signals from the body to the brain. The function of these sensory nerves is very important to protect us.
For example, when you walk and accidentally step on a piece of glass, nociceptors will send a signal that your foot is injured. The brain that receives this signal will immediately instruct your feet to lift and avoid the source of pain so that the damage is not greater.
2. Temperature
These receptors function to detect changes in environmental temperature on the skin. The function of these sensory nerves is important because our bodies need to adjust their temperature to the ambient temperature in order to function properly.
3. Touch
Touch receptors consist of various types and are found in the skin. They all play a role in carrying out the function of sensory nerves to feel touch, vibration, pressure, and texture of an object.
4. Proprioception
Touch receptors also make us aware of our presence in a room. This function of sensory nerves is called proprioception. With this function, you can automatically feel the presence of all your body parts, while stabilizing their position according to the state of your environment.
Sensory Nerve Function Disorders
As mentioned above, the journey of stimuli to be translated by the brain goes through a long process. If there is a disturbance in one part of the journey, the brain may misinterpret the stimulus.
One of the disturbances in sensory nerve function is peripheral neuropathy, which is a condition when there is a disturbance in the course of stimulation of the peripheral nerves. In this condition, you can feel something even though there is no stimulation or you can feel nothing when there is a stimulus.
Symptoms can include numbness, tingling (paresthesia), or even pain like burning, or tingling in the feet or hands. Complaints of peripheral neuropathy usually develop slowly over time.
Another danger that can occur due to this condition is that the body cannot feel pressure or touch normally, causing balance problems when walking. In addition, the body can also not realize if there is a painful stimulus, thus causing the appearance of injuries that are not realized.
By knowing the function of sensory nerves to the body and the symptoms of sensory nerve dysfunction, you can become more aware of the early symptoms of sensory nerve disorders.
If you feel complaints such as a thick feeling, tingling, or like pins and needles, check with your doctor to get an examination so that the cause of the complaint can be immediately identified and treated.