Sensory (or Afferent) Neurons

Sensory (or afferent) neurons carry nerve impulses from sensory receptors in tissues and organs (peripheral nervous system/PNS) to the central nervous system/CNS. They change physical stimuli (touch, light, sound) into nerve impulses. In some cases, an afferent neuron can be the receptor for touch, pain, itch, tickle, pressure, cutaneous vibration, and smell. In other cases, the receptor is a separate cell from the afferent neuron: for vision, hearing, equilibrium, and taste. Also see Neurons, Afferent Neurons, and Somatic Afferents.