Our world is a sensory-rich place and humans are sensory-complex beings. Sensory systems process information from the outside environment (the sound of your name called) and the body’s inside environment (a growling stomach when feeling hungry).
You have 8 sensory systems!
You probably remember learning about the five main senses in preschool:
Touch: tactile system
Hearing: auditory system
Sight: visual system
Smell: olfactory system
Taste: gustatory system
Three additional sensory systems are foundational for movement and function:
Vestibular system
Proprioceptive system
Interoceptive system
Each of the 8 sensory systems have a unique and important role.
The 3 special senses:
Vestibular system:
The vestibular system is housed within the inner ear. There are fluid-filled canals that give information about the position of the head against gravity. Posture, balance, and movement rely on the vestibular system’s function.
Examples of the vestibular system in action:
- Sitting in a rocking chair while reading a book
- Standing in a moving elevator
Proprioceptive system:
Proprioception is a fancy word for body awareness. There are little receptors in the muscles and joints that get activated with movement or what is called “heavy work” (pushing, pulling, lifting).
This system gives information about the position of the body and how much force is required to move each body part for different tasks.
Examples of the proprioceptive system in action:
- Kneading dough to make a loaf of bread
- Pressing the gas pedal with different levels of force to speed up and slow down while driving
Interoceptive system:
Interoception is known as the “8th Sensory System“. It provides information about the internal state of the body. Receptors inside the organs, muscles, bones, and skin help you feel what is happening inside your body.
This system detects hunger, thirst, sexual arousal, the urge to use the bathroom, pain, and emotions.
Examples of the interoceptive system in action:
- Growling stomach when feeling hungry
- Sweating hands when feeling nervous
The 5 main senses:
Tactile system
The tactile system detects sensations felt on the skin, including both light touch (the tickle of a feather) and deep touch (a massage or hug). You can use your fingertips to identify the shape and texture of an object without looking with your eyes.
Examples of the tactile system in action:
- Petting a cat or dog and noticing the texture of their fur (is it soft, coarse, short, long, curly, or straight?)
- Reaching in your pocket to retrieve a quarter for parking, leaving the pennies, dimes, and nickles behind
Auditory system
The auditory system supports the ability to listen or “tune out” sounds. This system is responsible for hearing and also the comprehension of spoken language.
Examples of the auditory system in action:
- Responding when your name is called while waiting for a table inside a busy restaurant
- Listening to your favorite music
Visual System
The role of the visual system is to see and interpret object characteristics (shape, color, motion, size, position). The visual system focuses on specific objects in a distracting background.
The eyes move closer together when looking at nearby objects. In contrast, the eyes move further apart to see objects in the distance.
Examples of the visual system in action:
- Matching socks by color when folding laundry
- Coloring or drawing a mandala
Olfactory system
The olfactory system processes smell, including identifying and filtering odors in the environment. This system has a direct connection to the emotion centers of the brain, therefore making it a powerful tool for triggering memories and feelings.
Examples of the olfactory system in action:
- Picking fresh herbs from the garden and identifying the basil by smell
- Realizing a carton of milk has gone rancid by noting the sour odor
Gustatory system
Last but not least, taste! The mouth generally prefers sweet and salty flavors. To keep your body safe, you avoid bitter and sour tastes of rotting or poisonous food.
Examples of the gustatory system in action:
- Tasting the difference between blueberries and strawberries in your fruit parfait
- Noticing the spices inside a homemade spaghetti sauce
When the sensory systems work together, you can better understand the world around you. You can better understand how your body functions within that world. How it moves, how it feels.
Furthermore, you learn to understand the perspective of others. How they move, how they feel.
DISCLAIMER: Although I am an occupational therapist and the information compiled is based on years of training and clinical experience, this is NOT a place for skilled therapeutic intervention. The ideas presented on this website and in products are for informational/educational purposes only and are not medical advice.
A website does not replace an individualized plan of care developed as the result of assessment, clinical observation, and collaboration between therapist, client, and care partner(s). If you are concerned about the cognitive, sensory, or functional abilities of yourself or someone you know, then you should talk with your physician or your therapist.