From the nerve signals sent from the hand. You don't need sight to sense your body.AcidRainLiTE said:If I close my eyes (so as to remove my sense of sight) and spread my fingers so they do not touch (so as to remove sense of feeling) and then move my hand around, I still have a sense of where in space it is located. How is my brain figuring out the location of my hand under these conditions?
Yes, proprioception. It is the incredibly important sense that most don't realize they have or need. The few people who have completely lost their sense of proprioception have had their lives devastated. Oliver Sacks tells the story of one woman who lost it in his book "The Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat", in chapter 3, "The Disembodied Lady".atyy said:"Proprioception"
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK10812/
Do you mean for people who have dysfunctional proprioception? A less complicated and risky method could be to devise mechanical devices worn on the knees, elbows, shoulders and hips that apply pressure to different areas of the limb on the basis of how extended the joint is. Overtime perhaps patients will adapt to this; I've read a Sacks case wherein the patient could no longer balance. They improvised a small spirit level attached to his glasses so that he could tell if he was standing straight. After a lot of practice he could walk again and the action became automatic.AcidRainLiTE said:I wonder whether it is possible to read the signals from these nerves (by placing a electrode or something on your arm) and interpret them so as to be able to track your hand.
The brain has a network of specialized cells called sensory neurons that send information from the hand to the brain. These neurons have receptors that respond to different stimuli, such as touch, temperature, and pressure. This information is then processed by the brain to determine the exact location of the hand in space.
Yes, the brain uses a combination of visual, proprioceptive, and tactile cues to locate the hand in space. Visual cues come from what we see, such as the position of our hand in relation to other objects. Proprioceptive cues come from the body's internal sensors that provide information about the position and movement of our limbs. Tactile cues come from the touch receptors in our skin that respond to pressure and texture.
Yes, injury or disease can affect the brain's ability to locate the hand in space. For example, damage to the sensory neurons or brain regions responsible for processing sensory information can result in difficulties with spatial perception. Additionally, conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease can also affect the brain's ability to locate the hand in space.
The brain maintains the ability to locate the hand in space through a process called neuroplasticity. This is the brain's ability to reorganize and form new neural connections in response to changes in the environment or experiences. With repeated use and practice, the brain can strengthen and refine the neural pathways involved in locating the hand in space, allowing for improved accuracy and efficiency.
Yes, the brain's ability to locate the hand in space can be improved through various activities and exercises that challenge and stimulate the sensory neurons and brain regions involved. These can include tasks that require precise hand-eye coordination, proprioception exercises, and sensory integration activities. Regular practice and repetition can help to strengthen and improve the brain's ability to locate the hand in space.