Alek lost his right hand in an industrial accident.Many years later,he still feels the sensation of having a right hand when his:
A)left hand is stroked.
B)right wrist is poked forcibly.
C)right elbow and foot are simultaneously stimulated.
D)right cheek and right upper arm are simultaneously stimulated.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This phenomenon is known as referred sensation, which occurs when the brain misinterprets the source of sensory input due to the close proximity of neurons in the brain's sensory cortex that correspond to different parts of the body. In Alek's case, stimulating areas like the right cheek and right upper arm, which are represented near the hand area in the brain's sensory map, can cause him to feel sensations in his missing right hand. This is related to the concept of the cortical homunculus, a distorted representation of the human body based on the neurological connections in the brain.

Alek Lost His Right Hand in an Industrial Accident