Proprioseptorit

Proprioseptorit, or proprioceptors, are specialized sensory receptors that provide information about body position, movement, and the forces acting on the musculoskeletal system. They are located in muscles (muscle spindles), tendons (Golgi tendon organs), joints (joint receptors), and to a lesser extent in the skin, and they contribute to both conscious proprioception and unconscious body awareness used in motor control.

The main receptors include muscle spindles, which sense muscle length and the rate of change in length; Golgi tendon organs, which monitor muscle tension; and joint receptors that detect joint angle and movement. Cutaneous mechanoreceptors also contribute to proprioceptive feedback during movement by sensing contact and pressure.

Afferent signals travel from these receptors through dorsal root ganglia into the spinal cord. Conscious proprioception is transmitted via the dorsal column–medial lemniscus pathway to the thalamus and somatosensory cortex, where limb position and movement are perceived. Unconscious proprioceptive information is carried by the spinocerebellar tracts to the cerebellum, supporting coordination and real-time adjustment of movement.

Proprioception enables posture, balance, and smooth motor execution by integrating sensory input with vision and vestibular information. Impairment can produce ataxia, clumsiness, or a positive Romberg sign and occurs in conditions such as peripheral neuropathy, vitamin B12 deficiency, diabetes, or dorsal column lesions. Rehabilitation and targeted training can improve proprioceptive function.

Developmentally, proprioceptive systems mature in early life and show plasticity in response to training or injury.