The somatic sensory system is responsible for processing sensory information from the skin, muscles, and joints. There are several synonyms for this system, including the somatosensory system, the tactile system, and the haptic system. The somatosensory system is critical for movement, balance, and spatial orientation. It allows us to perceive sensations such as touch, temperature, and pain. The tactile system refers specifically to the sense of touch, while the haptic system also includes the sense of body position and movement. All these systems work together to give us a complete picture of our body's physical environment and to enable us to interact with the world around us.