Resources

Understanding the senses

The Eyes enable us to see what is happening in our environment. Stimuli are caught by sensors in the eyes and sent to the brain via sensory nerves. These are electro-chemical impulses being sent to the brain uninterruptedly. The function of the visual system in later phases includes reading, driving and watching TV and film.

The Ears enable hearing. Sensors in the ears pick up the signals and send them to the brain in an uninterrupted stream.

The Nose detects scents/smells in our environment and sends them to the brain.

Touch sensors in the skin register stimuli like touching, heat, cold, wind etc and send them to the brain.

Taste sensors on the tongue register the taste of food and drink and constantly inform the brain.

The Vestibular System in the inner ear registers information on movements experienced by the body (such as vibrations in a moving vehicle) as well as the balance of the body.

Proprioceptive organs/Joint senses are found everywhere in the joints. These organelles feed the brain constantly with information on muscle tonus and the body’s position in space.