REFERRED SENSATION Meaning and
Definition
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Referred sensation is a term used in medical and neurological contexts to describe a phenomenon where a person experiences a sensation in a different part of their body unrelated to the actual source or cause of the sensation. This occurs due to the interconnected nature of the nervous system, where the brain may mistakenly perceive a stimulus originating from one area as coming from another.
When an individual experiences referred sensation, they may feel pain, discomfort, or other sensory perceptions in a part of their body that is different from where the stimulus is actually occurring. For example, a person with damage or irritation in their heart may experience pain in their left arm, rather than directly in the chest area.
The underlying mechanism of referred sensation is believed to be related to the overlapping of somatic sensory nerves and the convergence of nerve pathways in the central nervous system. These overlapping nerves and pathways can confuse the brain's interpretation of incoming signals, leading to sensations being felt in a different location.
Referred sensations are frequently observed and studied in various medical conditions. For instance, in cases of visceral pain, such as those originating from internal organs, the pain may be perceived as originating in more superficial areas of the body. Understanding and identifying referred sensations can aid healthcare professionals in diagnosing and treating the underlying conditions accurately.
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A sensation felt in one place in response to a stimulus applied in another.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for REFERRED SENSATION
Etymology of REFERRED SENSATION
The word "referred" originated from the Latin word "referre", which means "to carry back" or "to bring back". It was derived from the combination of the prefix "re-" meaning "back" and the verb "ferre" meaning "to carry".
"Sensation", on the other hand, originated from the Latin word "sensatio", which means "perception" or "feeling". It came from the verb "sentire", meaning "to feel" or "to perceive".
Therefore, the term "referred sensation" refers to a perception or feeling that is carried or brought back to a different part of the body than where the original stimulus was applied.
