Närvilõpmetesse

Närvilõpmetesse is the Estonian term for nerve endings. These are specialized structures found at the terminal points of nerve cells, also known as neurons. Their primary function is to receive stimuli from the environment or from within the body and convert these stimuli into electrical signals that can be transmitted along the nerve.

There are various types of nerve endings, each adapted to detect specific types of stimuli. For example, mechanoreceptors are nerve endings that respond to mechanical pressure or distortion, such as touch and vibration. Thermoreceptors are sensitive to temperature changes, both hot and cold. Nociceptors are specialized nerve endings that detect pain, typically in response to damaging stimuli. Photoreceptors in the eyes detect light, and chemoreceptors respond to chemical signals, such as taste and smell.

When a nerve ending is stimulated, it undergoes a process called transduction, where the physical or chemical stimulus is converted into an electrical impulse (action potential). This impulse then travels along the axon of the neuron to the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) for processing and interpretation. The brain then generates a response, which can be a conscious sensation, a motor command, or an autonomic reflex. The intricate network of nerve endings allows organisms to perceive their surroundings, monitor internal conditions, and react appropriately to a wide range of stimuli.