Final answer:
The neurons that conduct impulses from somatic receptors to the CNS are called sensory or afferent neurons.
Step-by-step explanation:
The neurons that conduct impulses from somatic receptors in the head and body to the brain stem or spinal cord are called sensory neurons. These neurons are also referred to as afferent neurons because they carry information toward the central nervous system (CNS). Essentially, sensory neurons act as messengers for stimuli such as touch, light, sound, and convert these into nerve impulses that are transmitted to the CNS.
The afferent fibers are essential in the somatic nervous system for delivering information from external and internal environments to the brain for processing. This is opposed to motor neurons which carry impulses in the other direction, from the CNS to the muscles and glands, effecting a response.