Vibratory Detection Thresholds for the Spine, Clavicle and Sternum

We sought to determine the vibratory detection thresholds at several points on the upper body that are associated with bony structures. Stimuli were pure tones generated by a voice-coil transducer at eight locations along the spinal column, the clavicle, the sternum and the skull, a point of comparison to past threshold studies. Owing to the transmission properties of mechanical waves in the body, we hypothesized that the detection thresholds would increase with distance from the skull and would depend on frequency in a manner that could reflect the integration of somatosensation and audition.