18.1: Sensory Modalities
Sensation typically is the process by which the sensory receptors and sense organs detect stimuli from the internal and external environment and transmit this information to the central nervous system for processing.
General senses refer to the broad category of sensory information detected by receptors in the body and can be further grouped into somatic and visceral senses. Somatic sensations include touch, pressure, temperature, and pain and are essential for navigating our environment and interacting with the world around us. Visceral senses refer to the sensory information from internal body organs, such as the stomach, small and large intestine, and urinary bladder. These sensations, including hunger, thirst, fullness, pain, or discomfort, are essential for regulating internal body functions and maintaining homeostasis.
Special senses are the five sensory modalities dedicated to a specific function and involve specialized sensory organs. These senses are vision, hearing, taste, smell, and balance. Each of these senses relies on specialized receptor cells in specific organs, such as the eyes, ears, tongue, and nose.
