Sensitivity to temperature is
A.
thermesthesia
B.
proprioception
C.
parosmia
D.
anesthesia
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is:
A. Thermesthesia
Explanation:
Thermesthesia refers to the ability to perceive temperature changes, including sensations of heat and cold. It is a fundamental aspect of somatosensation, which includes various sensory modalities like touch, pain, and proprioception.
How Thermesthesia Works:
Thermesthesia is mediated by thermoreceptors, specialized sensory receptors in the skin and deeper tissues that detect temperature changes. These receptors are divided into:
- Cold Receptors (Aδ fibers) – Activated by cooling temperatures (below 30°C or 86°F).
- Warm Receptors (C fibers) – Activated by warming temperatures (above 30°C but below 45°C or 113°F).
Beyond these temperature ranges, extreme heat or cold can activate nociceptors, which perceive painful stimuli, leading to protective reflexes like withdrawing from a hot surface.
Why Sensitivity to Temperature is Important:
- Survival Mechanism – Helps humans avoid dangerous environmental conditions like extreme heat or cold.
- Thermoregulation – Works with the autonomic nervous system to regulate body temperature, triggering sweating or shivering.
- Pain Perception – Alerts the body to potential harm from excessive heat or cold, preventing tissue damage.
Explanation of Incorrect Options:
- B. Proprioception – Refers to the body’s ability to sense its position and movement in space, not temperature.
- C. Parosmia – A disorder of smell, where odors are perceived differently than they actually are.
- D. Anesthesia – A loss of sensation, which can include loss of temperature perception but is not itself temperature sensitivity.
Thus, thermesthesia is the correct term for sensitivity to temperature.