Human Anatomy and Physiology - N. I. Fedyukovich 2003

Sensory Organs

Sensory Organs are anatomical structures that perceive external stimuli (sound, light, smell, taste, etc.), transform them into nerve impulses, and transmit them to the Brain.

A living Organism constantly receives information about changes occurring both outside and inside itself, as well as from all PARTS OF THE body. Stimuli from the external and internal environments are perceived by specialized elements that determine the Specificity of a particular sensory organ and are called receptors.

Sensory organs enable a living organism to interact with, adapt to, and comprehend the constantly changing environmental conditions.

According to the teachings of I. P. Pavlov, each analyzer is a complex mechanism that not only perceives signals from the external environment but also converts their energy into nerve impulses, performing higher analysis and synthesis.

Each analyzer is a complex system that includes the following components: 1) a peripheral organ that perceives external stimuli (light, smell, taste, sound, Touch) and converts them into nerve impulses; 2) pathways along which nerve impulses travel to the corresponding cortical nerve center; 3) a nerve center in the Cerebral Cortex (the cortical end of the analyzer). All analyzers are divided into two types. Analyzers that analyze and synthesize the external environment are called external or exteroceptive. These include visual, auditory, olfactory, tactile, and other analyzers. Analyzers that analyze phenomena occurring inside the body are called internal or interoceptive. They provide information about the state of the cardiovascular, digestive, and respiratory systems, among others. One of the main internal analyzers is the motor analyzer, which provides the brain with information about the state of the musculoskeletal apparatus. Its receptors have a complex Structure and are located in Muscles, tendons, and joints.

It is known that some analyzers occupy an intermediate position, such as the vestibular analyzer. It is located inside the body (the Inner ear) but is stimulated by external factors (acceleration and deceleration of rotational and rectilinear movements).

The peripheral part of the analyzer converts specific types of energy into nerve excitation, with each having its own specialization (cold, heat, smell, sound, etc.).

Thus, through the sensory organs, a person receives all information about the environment, studies it, and provides an appropriate response to real-world stimuli.