SENSORY ORGAN Meaning and
Definition
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A sensory organ is an anatomical structure or part of an organism that is specialized to receive and process sensory stimuli from the external environment. It is responsible for conveying information to the nervous system, allowing the organism to perceive and respond to its surroundings.
Sensory organs are found in various living organisms, including humans and animals. These organs are specifically designed to detect, receive, and interpret different types of sensory information such as light, sound, temperature, pressure, and chemical stimuli.
In humans, the primary sensory organs include the eyes (visual organ), ears (auditory organ), nose (olfactory organ), tongue (gustatory organ), and skin (tactile organ). Each of these sensory organs has specific structures and receptors that are specialized to detect and transmit specific sensory signals to the brain, where they are processed and integrated.
In animals, sensory organs may vary depending on their specific adaptation and habitat. For example, birds have specialized sensory organs called barbels that enable them to sense electrical fields, while fish have lateral lines that help them detect vibrations in water.
Overall, sensory organs play a crucial role in allowing organisms to perceive and interpret the world around them, providing essential information for survival, navigation, communication, and overall sensory experiences.
Etymology of SENSORY ORGAN
The word "sensory" derives from the Latin noun "sensus", which means "feeling" or "perception". It is related to the Latin verb "sentire", meaning "to feel" or "to perceive". The word "organ" comes from the Latin noun "organum", which originally referred to a musical instrument. It subsequently expanded to denote any part of the body that performs a specific function, such as the sensory organs.
