Tactile agnosia is a neuropsychological disorder where individuals are unable to recognize objects by touch. The word is pronounced /ˈtæktaɪl əɡˈnoʊziə/ using IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable "tac" is pronounced with a hard "c" sound, while the second syllable "tile" is pronounced with a long "i" sound. The stress is on the first syllable. "Agnosia" is pronounced with a silent "g" and a long "o" sound. Correct spelling and pronunciation are important in accurately communicating medical conditions like tactile agnosia.
Tactile agnosia is a medical condition characterized by the inability to recognize or identify objects through touch or tactile stimulation, despite having intact sensory perception in the affected body part. It is a type of agnosia, which refers to the impairment in recognizing or interpreting sensory information from a specific modality, in this case, touch.
Individuals with tactile agnosia may have difficulty discerning the shape, texture, size, or temperature of objects, as well as identifying familiar objects solely based on touch. This condition can affect both hands (bilateral tactile agnosia) or just one hand (unilateral tactile agnosia). Tactile agnosia most commonly occurs as a result of damage or dysfunction in the somatosensory association area of the brain, particularly the parietal lobe, which plays a crucial role in the integration and processing of tactile information.
People with tactile agnosia may struggle with daily activities that rely on touch, such as dressing, grooming, or navigating their environment. They may also experience difficulties in social interactions, as the inability to recognize objects through touch can hinder their ability to communicate effectively.
Treatment for tactile agnosia involves sensory retraining and rehabilitation techniques aimed at improving tactile perception and object recognition through touch. This may include sensory stimulation exercises, tactile discrimination training, and cognitive therapy to enhance overall sensory integration and functioning.
Inability to recognize objects by the touch.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "tactile agnosia" is a medical term that consists of two components: "tactile" and "agnosia".
1. "Tactile" comes from the Latin word "tactilis", derived from the verb "tangere", meaning "to touch". It refers to the sense of touch or pertaining to the sense of touch.
2. "Agnosia" is also derived from Greek roots. "A" is a prefix meaning "without", and "gnosis" means "knowledge" or "awareness". Therefore, "agnosia" describes a condition characterized by the inability to recognize, understand, or process certain sensory information, in this case, tactile (touch) sensations.