Introceptors

Introceptors are a type of sensory receptor that monitor the internal environment of the body. Unlike exteroceptors, which respond to stimuli from outside the body, and proprioceptors, which provide information about body position and movement, introceptors detect changes within the body's organs and tissues. These receptors are crucial for maintaining homeostasis, the stable internal conditions necessary for life.

Examples of stimuli detected by introceptors include changes in blood pressure, the chemical composition of the blood, the distension of organs like the stomach or bladder, and temperature. Chemoreceptors are a type of introceptor that sense chemical changes, such as alterations in blood oxygen or carbon dioxide levels. Mechanoreceptors, another type, respond to mechanical forces like stretch or pressure, which is how baroreceptors in blood vessels detect changes in blood pressure.

The signals generated by introceptors are relayed to the central nervous system, primarily the brainstem and hypothalamus, which then initiate appropriate physiological responses. These responses can be involuntary, such as adjusting heart rate or breathing depth, or they can contribute to conscious sensations like hunger, thirst, or pain. Without introceptors, the body would be unable to effectively regulate its internal state, leading to potentially life-threatening imbalances.