Proprioseptisk

Proprioseptisk is the Swedish term for proprioceptive, relating to proprioception, the sense of the body’s position and movement in space, integrated with visual and vestibular input to guide actions. Proprioception arises from specialized sensory receptors called proprioceptors located in muscles, tendons, joints, and to a lesser extent in the skin. The most important receptors are muscle spindles, which detect changes in muscle length and speed, and Golgi tendon organs, which sense tendon tension. Joint receptors provide information about angle and movement at the joints.

Signals from these receptors travel via peripheral nerves to the spinal cord and brain. Unconscious proprioception reaches the cerebellum and brainstem through spinocerebellar pathways, while conscious proprioception is processed in the somatosensory cortex via the dorsal columns.

Functions of proprioseptisk include maintenance of posture, balance, and coordinated movement, as well as motor learning and adaptation to new tasks. Proprioception supports actions in environments with limited vision and interacts with the vestibular system to help maintain stable posture and coordination during movement.

Impairments in proprioception can arise from peripheral neuropathies, spinal cord injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, or aging, leading to poor balance and motor coordination. Rehabilitation often includes proprioceptive training such as balance exercises, perturbation training, and functional tasks designed to improve somatosensory feedback and motor control.

Historically, the term proprioception was introduced in the early 20th century by Charles Sherrington. The root is Latin proprius—one’s own—combined with perception.

See also: kinesthesia, proprioception, somatosensory system, balance, vestibular system.