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Medicine LibreTexts

29.5: Key Terms

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adaptation
the process by which sensory systems adjust to ongoing stimuli, optimizing processing efficiency
alert
a state of heightened wakefulness, attentiveness, and responsiveness in which an individual is fully awake, aware of their surroundings, and capable of actively engaging with stimuli and tasks
altered consciousness
any deviation from the normal waking state of consciousness, characterized by changes in perception, cognition, or awareness
anhedonia
reduced sensory pleasure and decreased interest in sensory experiences
asleep
a natural state of rest characterized by reduced consciousness, diminished responsiveness to external stimuli, and altered brain activity during sleep
auditory sensory perception
the process by which the auditory system receives, transmits, and interprets sound stimuli from the environment
awareness
conscious perception and understanding of oneself, one’s surroundings, and the experiences that arise from sensory input and cognitive processes
coma
a profound state of unconsciousness characterized by a complete loss of consciousness, absence of wakefulness, and lack of response to external stimuli
conscious states
range of mental experiences and subjective awareness that individuals perceive as part of their waking life
extraversion
personality trait characterized by sociability, outgoingness, and a preference for social interactions
Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)
a neurological assessment tool used to evaluate a patient’s level of consciousness and neurological function
gustatory sensory perception
the ability to detect and interpret tastes using the gustatory system
kinesthetic sense (also, proprioceptive sense)
the sense of body awareness and movement control
lethargic
a state of drowsiness, sluggishness, and reduced energy levels in which an individual appears excessively tired or fatigued
neural plasticity
the brain's ability to reorganize and adapt its structure and function in response to changes
obtundation
a state of decreased alertness and responsiveness in which an individual opens their eyes in response to tactile stimuli or other external cues but responds slowly and may appear confused or disoriented
olfactory sensory perception
the ability to detect and interpret smells using the olfactory system
ototoxic
medications that have the potential to cause damage to the structures of the inner ear or the auditory nerve
proprioceptors
specialized sensory receptors located in muscles, tendons, and joints that detect changes in muscle length, tension, and joint position, providing continuous feedback to the brain about the body’s position in space
reticular activating system (RAS)
a crucial neural network in the brainstem responsible for regulating arousal, attention, and consciousness
sensation seeking
tendency to seek out novel, varied, and intense experiences
senses
physiological mechanisms by which organisms perceive and respond to stimuli from their environment
sensoristasis
balance between under- and overstimulation, optimizing arousal levels for sensory perception and cognitive function
sensory deficit
impairment or loss in one or more sensory modalities, such as vision, hearing, touch, taste, or smell
sensory deprivation
refers to the absence or reduction of normal sensory inputs, leading to a state of decreased stimulation and sensory isolation
sensory discrimination
the brain’s ability to interpret and distinguish between different sensory stimuli
sensory discrimination disorder (SDD)
a condition characterized by difficulties in accurately interpreting and distinguishing between sensory stimuli
sensory integration
the brain’s ability to organize and make sense of information received through the senses
sensory modulation
the brain’s ability to regulate and respond appropriately to sensory stimuli from the environment
sensory modulation disorder (SMD)
a condition characterized by atypical responses to sensory stimuli, resulting in difficulties regulating and processing sensory information
sensory overload
occurs when an individual is exposed to an excessive amount of sensory stimuli that overwhelms their ability to process and integrate information effectively
sensory perception
process by which organisms gather information from the environment through the senses (such as sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell) and interpret and make sense of that information
sensory processing disorder (SPD)
a neurological condition that affects how individuals process and respond to sensory information from the environment
sensory-based motor disorder (SBMD)
a condition characterized by challenges in coordinating motor movements due to underlying sensory processing difficulties
states of arousal
levels of physiological and psychological alertness and responsiveness exhibited by an individual
stupor
a state of reduced consciousness marked by extreme lethargy, diminished responsiveness, and a significant decrease in alertness and awareness
tactile sensory perception
the ability to detect and interpret touch sensations
unconscious states
mental processes and activities that occur without conscious awareness or voluntary control
vegetative state (also, unresponsive wakefulness syndrome)
a condition marked by wakefulness without awareness, in which the individual appears awake but lacks meaningful responsiveness
visceral sense (also, interoceptive sense)
responsible for detecting and monitoring internal body sensations such as hunger, thirst, pain, and visceral organ function
visual sensory perception
the process by which the visual system detects, interprets, and makes sense of visual stimuli

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