The Sense Organs

The sense organs of the human body comprise of the eyes for vision, the ear for hearing, the nose for smell, the tongue for taste and the skin for touch. As animals, we need these senses to be able to respond to our environment and the senses are there to protect the body.

They work by relaying vital information through sensory neuron’s to the appropriate places within the nervous system by their containing receptors that are sensitive to stimulus, so they can detect touch, pressure, pain, temperature, chemicals, light, sound and movement for example. The purpose to allow us as humans to function fully by being able to respond to what is happening around us, and the animal species to avoid hostile environments, to sense the presence of predators and to find food.

Responding to Stimuli

The sense organs respond to stimuli by producing nerve impulses that travel to the brain via a sensory nerve. The sensory nerves form the link between receptors and the central nervous system possessing nerve endings with specialised neurons that are stimulated to fire action based on chemical factors, photons, heat depending on their location and type. Sensory nerves are part of the peripheral nervous system which includes the cranial nerves Olfactory I, Optic II, and Vestibulocochlear VIII and the spinal nerves.

The team have created a gallery of illustrations involving the sense organs, and are shown below. The team can create bespoke medical and scientific illustration’s and are readily able to talk to you about your project needs.