What does pulse motor sensation mean?

Pulse motor sensation refers to the ability to sense vibrations. This sense is mediated by specialized sensory receptors called mechanoreceptors that are capable of detecting mechanical vibrations in the environment. In the human body, there are specific pulse motor sensory receptors located in the skin, muscles, and tendons that allow us to detect and perceive these vibrations.

*When you press and lightly touch the skin on your body (or feel an insect on you!), you use receptors with nerve endings located very close to the surface -- they can detect an object on the order of nanometers. That’s one billionth of a meter!*

Some examples of when we use our pulse motor sensation include:

* Feeling the rumbling of a passing truck while standing on the ground.

* Sensing subtle vibrations through a fishing rod when a fish bites the hook.

* Detecting the tapping of a finger on a table or surface through direct skin contact.

* Noticing slight vibrations in a steering wheel while driving on an uneven road.

Pulse motor sensation allows us to perceive important tactile information about our surroundings and plays a role in tasks that involve spatial awareness, coordination, and fine manipulation. Damage to these sensory receptors or the neural pathways involved in processing vibratory information can lead to sensory deficits that impair our ability to sense vibrations and properly interact with our environment.