Melzack R
Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Reg Anesth. 1989 Sep-Oct;14(5):208-11.
A phantom limb is universally experienced after a limb has been amputated or its sensory roots have been destroyed. A complete break of the spinal cord also often leads to a phantom body below the level of the break. Furthermore, phantom breasts, genitals and other body areas occur in a substantial number of people after surgical removal or denervation of the body part. The most astonishing feature of a phantom limb (or other body area) is its incredible "reality" to the person. An examination of phantom limb phenomena has led to a new theory. It is proposed that we are born with a widespread neural network--the neuromatrix--for the body-self, which is subsequently modified by experience. The neuromatrix imparts a pattern--the neurosignature--on all inputs from the body, so that experiences of one's own body have a quality of self and are imbued with affective tone and cognitive meaning. The theory is presented with supporting evidence as well as implications for research.
肢体被截肢或其感觉神经根部被破坏后，幻肢现象普遍存在。脊髓完全断裂也常常会导致在断裂水平以下出现幻体。此外，相当一部分人在身体部位手术切除或去神经支配后会出现幻乳、幻生殖器及其他身体部位的幻肢现象。幻肢（或其他身体部位）最惊人的特征是它在患者看来不可思议的“真实感”。对幻肢现象的研究催生了一种新理论。有人提出，我们生来就拥有一个广泛的神经网络——身体自我神经矩阵，它随后会因经验而改变。神经矩阵给来自身体的所有输入赋予一种模式——神经特征，因此对自身身体的体验具有自我特质，并充满情感基调与认知意义。该理论既有支持证据，也有对研究的启示。
