PROPRIOCEPTORS

Propriocetors are those receptors, which give response to change in the position of different
parts of the body.

These receptors are also called the receptors of kinesthetic sensation and are situated in
labyrinth, muscles, tendon of the muscles, joints, ligaments and facia.

The proprioceptors are:

1. Muscle spindle
2. Golgi tendon organ
3. Pacinian corpuscle
4. Free nerve ending
5. Proprioceptors in labyrinth.

A. MUSCLE SPINDLE

Muscle spindle is the proprioceptor situated in the muscle and, it is made up of intrafusal
fibers.
• Each muscle spindle is formed by about 10 intrafusal fibers.
• All intrafusal fibers are enclosed by a capsule formed by connective tissue. The muscle
spindle has a central bulged portion and two tapering ends.
• The intrafusal fibers are attached to the capsule on either end.
• The capsule is attached to either side of extrafusal fibers or the tendon of the muscle.
• Thus, the intrafusal fibers are placed parallel to the extrafusal fibers.
• The central portion of the intrafusal fibers does not contract as it has only few or no
actin and myosin filaments.
 • This portion acts only as a receptor. Only the end portion of the intrafusal fibers can
contract.
• The discharge from the gamma motor neurons causes the contraction of the intrafusal
fibers.

Types of Intrafusal Fibers

The muscle spindle is formed by two types of intrafusal fibers called:

1. Nuclear bag fiber

2. Nuclear chain fiber.

1. Nuclear Bag Fiber

This has an enlarged central portion, which contain many nuclei. Hence, it is called the
nuclear bag fiber.

2. Nuclear Chain Fiber

In this, the central portion is not bulged and the nuclei are arranged in the center in the form of
a chain. The nuclear chain fiber is attached to the side of end portion of the nuclear bag fiber.

NERVE SUPPLY TO MUSCLE SPINDLE

The muscle spindle is innervated by both sensory and motor nerves.

It is the only receptor in the body which has got motor nerve supply also.

i. Sensory Nerve Supply

Each muscle spindle has two types of sensory nerve endings, which are:

1. Primary sensory nerve ending

2. Secondary sensory nerve ending.

1. Primary Sensory Nerve Ending

• This belongs to type lα (Aα) nerve fiber.

• Each sensory nerve fiber has two branches. One of the branches supplies the central
portion of nuclear bag fiber
• The other branch ends in the central portion of the nuclear chain fiber.
• The branches of this nerve fiber end in the form of rings around the central portion of
the nuclear bag and nuclear chin fibers.
• Therefore, these nerve endings are called the annulospiral endings.
Nerve supply to muscle spindle
2. Secondary Sensory Nerve Ending

• This is type II (Aβ) nerve fiber.

• This innervates only the nuclear chain fiber.
• This fiber ends near the end portion of nuclear chain fiber like the petals of the flower.
So, It is called the flower spray ending.

ii. Motor Nerve Supply

• The motor nerve fiber supplying the muscle spindle belongs to gamma motor neuron
(Aγ).
• This nerve ends in nuclear bag fiber as motor end plate. Hence, it is called plate ending.
• Functionally, it is known as dynamic gamma efferent (motor) nerve fiber. The gamma
motor nerve supplying the nuclear chain fiber gives branches, which form a network
called trail ending.
• Functionally, it is known as static gamma efferent (motor) nerve fiber. Sometimes, it
gives a branch to nuclear bag fiber also.

FUNCTIONS OF MUSCLE SPINDLE

Muscle spindle gives response to change in the length of the muscle. It has two functions.

1. It is the receptor organ for stretch reflex.

2. It plays an important role in maintaining the muscle tone.

Stretch Reflex

When a muscle is stretched, it contracts reflexly. This is called the stretch reflex or myotatic
reflex.
It is a mono- ynaptic reflex and the quickest of all the reflexes.
The extensor muscles, particularly the antigravity muscles exhibit a severe and prolonged
contraction during stretch reflex.

Role of Muscle Spindle

The intrafusal fibers which form the muscle spindle are situated parallel to the extrafusal
fibers of the skeletal muscle.
These fibers are attached to the tendon of the muscle by means of capsule. So, when the
muscle is stretched, the muscle spindle is also stretched and stimulated.
The sensory impulses are discharged from muscle spindle and are transmitted via the primary
and secondary sensory nerve fibers to the spinal cord.
The sensory nerve fibers end directly on the alpha motor neurons of the spinal cord.
Now, the impulses from the alpha motor neurons cause contraction of extrafusal fibers
Response of Muscle Spindle to Stretch

When the muscle is stretched, two types of response occur in the muscle spindle which are:

i. Dynamic response ii. Static response.

i. Dynamic Response

• When there is a change in the length of the muscle by stretching, the primary sensory
nerve fibers from muscle spindle start discharging impulses very rapidly.
• The discharge becomes less or nil during the continuous stretching of the muscle.
• The discharge of impulses start only if there is change in the degree of stretching of the
muscle.
• Thus, the response depends upon the rate of change in the length of the muscle. This
type of response is called the dynamic response.
• The nerve fiber of nuclear bag fiber is responsible for dynamic response.

ii. Static Response

• The impulses are discharged continuously from the primary and secondary sensory
nerve fibers, through out the period of muscle stretch. So, it is called the static response.
• The nuclear chain fiber, which is innervated by both primary and secondary nerve
fibers, is responsible for the static response of the muscle spindle to stretch.
• Thus, the muscle spindle gives response to change in the length of the muscle as well as
the rate of change in the length.

Role of Muscle Spindle in Maintaining Muscle Tone

• The continuous state of tension in the muscle even during the resting condition is called
the muscle tone.
• It is due to the continuous discharge of impulses from gamma motor neurons.
• The muscle tone is also defined as resistance offered by the muscle to stretch.
• The gamma motor neurons innervate the intrafusal fibers. The impulses from the
gamma motor neurons cause contraction of end portions of intrafusal fibers.
 • So, the central portion of the intrafusal fibers is stretched and activated. This leads to
the discharge of impulses from the primary sensory nerve endings. The impulses
stimulate the alpha motor neurons of the spinal cord.
• The alpha motor neurons in turn, send impulses to extrafusal fibers and cause
contraction of the muscle fibers.
• When the frequency of the discharge from gamma motor neurons increases, the activity
of muscle spindle is increased and the muscle tone also increases.

B. GOLGI TENDON ORGAN

Structure of Golgi Tendon Organ

• Golgi tendon organ is present in the tendon of the skeletal muscle.

• It is situated in the tendon near the attachment of extrafusal fibers with the tendon.
• The Golgi tendon organ is placed in series between the muscle fibers and the tendon.
• The Golgi tendon organ is formed by a group of nerve endings covered by a capsule.
The capsule is formed by connective tissue.

Golgi tendon apparatus

NERVE SUPPLY TO GOLGI TENDON ORGAN

• The sensory nerve fiber supplying the Golgi tendon organ belongs to I b type.
• The nerve fiber supplying the Golgi tendon organ ramifies into many branches.
• Each branch ends in the form of a knob.

FUNCTIONS OF GOLGI TENDON ORGAN

• The Golgi tendon organ gives response to the change in the force or tension developed
in the skeletal muscle during contraction.
• It is also the receptor for the inverse stretch reflex and the lengthening reaction.

C. PACINIAN CORPUSCLE

This is a pressure receptor situated in facia over the muscle, tendons, joints and periosteum.

D. FREE NERVE ENDING

Free nerve ending is the receptor for pain sensation situated in the muscles, tendon, fascia and
joints.