Lateral inhibition
Videos
In neurobiology, lateral inhibition is the capacity of an excited neuron to reduce the activity of its neighbors. Lateral inhibition disables the spreading of action potentials from excited neurons to
Optical illusion caused by lateral inhibition: the Hermann grid illusion
The Devonian fossil liverwort Metzgeriothalus sharonae, showing a thallus consisting of a midrib and unistratose wings with scattered dark cells. These dark cells (homologous to oil body cells of modern liverworts) form regular 'salt-and-pepper' patterns, a hallmark of lateral inhibition.
Somatosensory system
Videos
The somatosensory system, or somatic sensory system, is a subset of the sensory nervous system. The main functions of the somatosensory system are the perception of external stimuli, the perception of
Lateral inhibition
…stimulation that allows increased sensory perception. It is also referred to as lateral antagonism and occurs primarily in visual processes, but also in tactile, auditory, and even olfactory processing. Cells that utilize lateral inhibition appear primarily in the cerebral cortex and thalamus and make up lateral…
Touch is a crucial means of receiving information. This photo shows tactile markings identifying stairs for visually impaired people.
Touch can result in many different physiological reactions such as laughing at being tickled.