The term somatosensory system refers to a functionally defined set of structures of the nervous system. They process inputs from receptors in the skin, muscles and joints that support: 1) awareness of touch, pressure, temperature, itch, pain and other sensations, 2) identification of objects by touch and manipulation, and 3) smooth movements and postural stability. The structures include somatosensory receptors and somatosensory ganglia of the peripheral nervous system and the subcortical somatosensory system and somatosensory cortex of the central nervous system ( Swanson-2004 ).