propriocepsis

Proprioception, sometimes spelled propriocepsis, is the sense that allows a person to perceive the position and movement of their body parts without relying on vision. It arises from proprioceptors located in muscles, tendons, joints, and to a lesser extent the skin. Muscle spindles detect changes in muscle length and speed, while Golgi tendon organs monitor muscle tension. Joint receptors sense joint angle, pressure, and rotation, and cutaneous receptors contribute to limb position information, especially when contacting surfaces.

Signals from these receptors travel through sensory nerves to the central nervous system. Conscious proprioception is carried to the brain via pathways that ascend to the somatosensory cortex, contributing to the perception of limb position. Unconscious proprioception reaches the cerebellum through spinocerebellar tracts, where it helps with posture, coordination, and motor learning. The brain integrates proprioceptive input with visual and vestibular information to control movement and maintain balance.

Functions include guiding voluntary movement, stabilizing posture, enabling coordinated gait, and supporting motor learning and body schema. Proprioception can be affected by aging, peripheral neuropathies (such as diabetes), spinal cord injury, stroke, and certain neurodegenerative diseases.

Assessment methods examine joint position sense and movement detection thresholds, often using joint position replication or passive movement tests, and sometimes involve Romberg testing for balance. Kinesthesia is a related concept that specifically refers to movement sense, whereas proprioception encompasses both position and movement senses.