Mehaanoreseptors

Mehaanoreseptors are sensory receptors that respond to mechanical stimulation. They are a type of somatosensory receptor, responsible for the sense of touch, pressure, vibration, and proprioception. These receptors are found throughout the body, including in the skin, muscles, tendons, joints, and internal organs.

In the skin, mehaanoreseptors detect various types of touch, such as light touch, deep pressure, and vibration. Examples include Merkel cells, Ruffini endings, and Pacinian corpuscles. These receptors are crucial for identifying objects, sensing textures, and perceiving pain.

Within muscles and tendons, mehaanoreseptors like muscle spindles and Golgi tendon organs provide information about muscle length and tension. This proprioceptive feedback is essential for coordinating movement, maintaining posture, and preventing injury. Joint receptors also contribute to proprioception by sensing joint position and movement.

Internal organs also contain mehaanoreseptors that monitor stretch and pressure. For instance, baroreceptors in blood vessels detect changes in blood pressure, while stretch receptors in the digestive tract signal the presence of food.

The activation of mehaanoreseptors leads to the generation of electrical signals that are transmitted to the central nervous system via afferent nerve fibers. These signals are then processed in the brain, allowing for conscious perception of touch, pain, and body position, as well as the control of motor responses.