Somatosensory System

The somatosensory system, part of the sensory system, controls physical sensations and kinesthesia (sensing motion of joints/limbs) via two main parts. One detects mechanical stimuli, like vibration, pressure, light touch, and cutaneous tension (skin (tightness). The other detects temperature and painful stimuli. Somatosensory receptors—in the skin, muscles, joints, ligaments, and fascia (thin layer of connective tissue surrounding and supporting organs, muscles, bones, nerves, blood vessels)—detect internal/external changes. Sensations are sent to the somatosensory cortex via the brainstem to the cerebral cortex.