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  • Title: Anisotropy and spatial tactile acuity on human lips.
    Author: Todd G.
    Journal: Clin Neurophysiol; 2012 Aug; 123(8):1593-8. PubMed ID: 22336132.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: To investigate tactile anisotropy on human lips. METHODS: Spatial tactile acuity was assessed with a three-alternative, forced-choice grating orientation task. Circular probes with horizontal (parallel to lip), vertical (perpendicular to lip), or oblique (45° right of vertical) grooves and ridges of equal width were applied (n=60) to the midline of each lip. Participants (n=13) were asked to state the grating orientation whilst blindfolded. The percentage of correct responses was plotted as a function of the log gap width. Data were fitted with a four-parameter sigmoid function. Response bias was assessed (n=13) with application of a smooth polished Perspex probe. 65.5%, 71.5%, and 63.0% correct was adopted as the threshold estimate for the vertical, horizontal, and oblique orientations based on the measured response bias. RESULTS: Across orientations, the threshold on the upper lip (1.5 ± 0.9 mm) was significantly greater than on the lower lip (1.0 ± 0.7 mm; P=0.006). However, there was no significant main effect of orientation or orientation-by-lip interaction on threshold. CONCLUSION: Tactile anisotropy is absent on human lips. SIGNIFICANCE: The lack of anisotropy is surprising given that anisotropy is present on fingers and that afferent input and sensory processing for human lips and fingers share similarities.
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