Somatosensation

Definition

Somatosensation is the sensory modality that encompasses the sensations of touch, temperature, body position, and pain. These sensations are detected by sensory receptors in the skin and deeper tissues, then relayed to the brain for processing.

Related terms

Proprioception:

The sense that allows us to perceive the position and movement of our body parts even without looking at them.

Nociception: The sensory nervous system's response to certain harmful or potentially harmful stimuli, essentially leading to the perception of pain.

Thermoreception: The ability to sense temperature changes, mediated by thermoreceptors located in the skin and other organs