title: Sensory development.
abstract: Sensory development is complex, with both morphologic and neural components. Development of the senses begins in early fetal life, initially with structures and then in-utero stimulation initiates perception. After birth, environmental stimulants accelerate each sensory organ to nearly complete maturity several months after birth. Vision and hearing are the best studied senses and the most crucial for learning. This article focuses on the cranial senses of vision, hearing, smell, and taste. Sensory function, embryogenesis, external and genetic effects, and common malformations that may affect development are discussed, and the corresponding sensory organs are examined and evaluated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Albany Medical Center, MC88, 43 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208, USA.
authors.forename: Melinda B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Clark-Gambelunghe
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Albany Medical Center, MC88, 43 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208, USA. Electronic address: clarkd@mail.amc.edu.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Clark
mesh_terms: D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology*; D006309:Hearing / Q000502:physiology; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000151:congenital / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015997:Neonatal Screening; D012677:Sensation / Q000502:physiology*; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology; D013649:Taste / Q000502:physiology; D014785:Vision, Ocular / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Hearing; Neonate; Oral development; Sensory; Smell; Taste; Vision