mechanoreceptor
Pressure-sensing nerve ending
A mechanoreceptor is a sensory nerve ending that responds to physical pressure or distortion—touch, vibration, stretch, or sound waves.
Skin contains mechanoreceptors that detect light touch and deep pressure.
The inner ear's hair cells are mechanoreceptors that convert sound vibrations into nerve signals.
Mechanoreceptors in joints help us sense body position.
Of the touching sense
- skinBody's outer layer
- corpuscleMinute body particle
- epidermisOutermost tissue layer
- dermisLiving tissue under epidermis
Merkel · fingertips · palms · touch · pressure · texture · adaptation · sensitivity
Auditory sensory receptor
- cochleaSpiral hearing organ
- inner earBalance and hearing center
- vestibularOf the balance organ
- otolithInner ear balance crystal
Conveying toward central point
- transductionSignal or energy transformation
- depolarizationLoss of electrical gradient
- action potentialNeuron's rapid electrical discharge
- signalMessage-conveying cue
stimulus · sensory processing · peripheral nerve · dorsal root ganglion
Sense of bodily movement
- jointsSkeletal connection points
- tendonsFibrous connective cords
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
- coordinationOrganized cooperative movement
posture · body position · spatial awareness · neuromuscular · motor control · joint capsule · body awareness
Rate of recurrence
- oscillationRepeated back-and-forth movement
- flutterRapid light movement
- tool useManipulating objects purposefully
- high-frequencyRapid oscillation rate
Arterial baroreceptor at throat
- aortic archCurved section of main artery
- blood pressureCirculatory force measurement
- bladderOrgan holding urine
- lungRespiratory chest organ
gastrointestinal · distension · autonomic · vagal · arterial · venous · cardiovascular
tactile
Of the touching sense
Merkel · dermis · fingertips · palms · touch · pressure · texture · adaptation · sensitivity · threshold
hair cell
Auditory sensory receptor
- cochleaSpiral hearing organ
- inner earBalance and hearing center
- vestibularOf the balance organ
otolith · semicircular canal · hearing · auditory nerve · acoustic
afferent
Conveying toward central point
- transductionSignal or energy transformation
- depolarizationLoss of electrical gradient
- action potentialNeuron's rapid electrical discharge
signal · stimulus · sensory processing · peripheral nerve · dorsal root ganglion
kinesthesia
Sense of bodily movement
coordination · posture · body position · spatial awareness · neuromuscular · motor control · joint capsule · body awareness
frequency
Rate of recurrence
- oscillationRepeated back-and-forth movement
- flutterRapid light movement
- tool useManipulating objects purposefully
carotid sinus
Arterial baroreceptor at throat
- aortic archCurved section of main artery
- blood pressureCirculatory force measurement
- bladderOrgan holding urine
lung · gastrointestinal · distension · autonomic · vagal · arterial · venous · cardiovascular
mechanoreceptorchemoreceptor
Sensory unit detecting chemicals
photoreceptor · thermoreceptor · electroreceptor · baroreceptor · proprioceptor