Muscle spindle, pronounced /ˈmʌsəl ˈspɪndəl/, is a sensory receptor located in striated muscle fibers that detects changes in muscle length and rate of change. The word "muscle" is spelled with a silent "e" and pronounced /ˈmʌsəl/ in Received Pronunciation (RP). The word "spindle" is spelled exactly as it sounds, with each letter corresponding to a phonetic sound in the word, and is pronounced /ˈspɪndəl/. Together, the words "muscle spindle" describe a vital component of the neuromuscular system responsible for maintaining muscle tone and posture.
A muscle spindle is a sensory organ found within skeletal muscles that plays a crucial role in regulating muscle movement and maintaining proper posture. It is a specialized type of proprioceptor, which provides feedback to the brain about the position, length, and tension of the muscle fibers.
Structurally, a muscle spindle consists of several intrafusal muscle fibers that are surrounded by a capsule and located in parallel with the extrafusal muscle fibers within a muscle. The intrafusal muscle fibers are innervated by sensory nerve endings, called primary and secondary sensory endings, which detect changes in muscle length and tension.
The main function of a muscle spindle is to detect and signal changes in muscle length and tension to the brain. When a muscle is stretched, the intrafusal muscle fibers within the muscle spindle also stretch, causing the sensory nerve endings to generate action potentials. These action potentials are then transmitted to the brain, providing information about the muscle length and rate of change in length. This feedback is crucial for the brain to accurately interpret the position and movement of the limb or body part, allowing for precise muscle control and coordination.
Overall, muscle spindles play a vital role in the body's ability to sense and react to changes in muscle length and tension, contributing to the maintenance of balance, posture, and coordinated movement.
1. A fiber of striated muscle. 2. A bundle of encapsuled muscle-fiber from which a number of sensory nerve-fibers take origin.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "Muscle Spindle" has a straightforward etymology that stems from the Latin roots "musculus" and "spindulus".
1. Muscle: The word "muscle" can be traced back to the Latin term "musculus", which means "a little mouse" or "muscle". The ancient Romans believed that the shape of certain muscles resembled little mice, leading to the adoption of this term.
2. Spindle: The word "spindle" comes from the Latin term "spindulus", meaning "a little spindle". A spindle is a cylindrical rod or pin that is used in spinning wheels, typically used to twist and wind fibers into thread or yarn.