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When a patient recognizes a number "written" on her hand with her eyes closed, this is known as:

  1. Graphesthesia

  2. Stereognosis

  3. Graphognosis

  4. Kinesthesia

The correct answer is: Graphesthesia

The phenomenon described, where a patient is able to identify a number "written" on her hand while her eyes are closed, is known as graphesthesia. This sensory ability involves the recognition of symbols or letters traced on the skin, showcasing the brain's capacity to integrate tactile and proprioceptive information. In this context, the patient relies on the sensation of the number being drawn on her skin. Graphesthesia is particularly useful in neurological assessments, helping to evaluate the functioning of sensory pathways and cognitive processing. It requires the patient to have intact sensory pathways and a functional interpretation of the stimuli, making it a valuable test for assessing neurological health. Understanding this concept is essential in clinical practice as it helps healthcare professionals to determine the integrity of sensory perception and motor functioning in patients. Other choices involve different sensory modalities or assessments that do not apply to this specific scenario.