Proprioseptoreja

Proprioseptoreja, or proprioceptors, are sensory receptors that provide information about the position and movement of the body. They detect limb and trunk orientation, muscle length and tension, and joint angles, enabling the brain to sense where the body is in space even without visual input. Proprioceptors are distributed in muscles, tendons, joints, and to a lesser extent in the skin, forming a key part of the body’s internal sensing system.

The main types of proprioceptors include muscle spindles, which sense muscle stretch and rate of change in length; Golgi tendon organs, which detect muscle tension; and various joint receptors located in the capsule and ligaments of synovial joints that respond to joint angle and movement. Cutaneous receptors also contribute to proprioceptive information by signaling skin stretch and pressure, supporting the sense of limb position in many tasks.

Neural pathways carrying proprioceptive information split into two broad streams. Conscious proprioception travels to the brain via the dorsal columns, projecting to the thalamus and somatosensory cortex for awareness of position and movement. Unconscious proprioception primarily reaches the cerebellum through the spinocerebellar tracts, where it is used to coordinate posture and smooth, coordinated movements. Integration with vestibular input and visual cues underpins balance and spatial orientation, forming a coherent internal body schema.

Clinically, proprioceptive function can be affected by nerve injury, neuropathies, or spinal cord disorders, leading to impaired balance and coordination. Assessment often includes tests of joint position sense and balance, and rehabilitation focuses on proprioceptive training to restore coordination and postural control.