The correct spelling of the word "muscular spindle" is /ˈmʌskjʊlər ˈspɪndəl/. The IPA phonetic transcription provides clarity on the pronunciation of each syllable. The first part of the word, "muscular," is pronounced with a strong emphasis on the "mʌskj" sound. The following syllable "ər" is pronounced as an unstressed "uh" sound. The second part of the word, "spindle," begins with a stressed "spɪn" sound and ends with an unstressed "dəl" sound. Proper spelling combined with accurate pronunciation is essential for effective communication.
A muscular spindle, also known as a muscle spindle, is a specialized sensory receptor found within skeletal muscles. It is an elongated, spindle-shaped structure that acts as a proprioceptor, providing information about muscle length and changes in muscle length to the central nervous system.
Muscular spindles consist of intrafusal muscle fibers, which are encapsulated by a connective tissue sheath. These fibers run parallel to the extrafusal muscle fibers responsible for generating force and movement. They have a central region called the equator and two regions at the ends known as polar regions.
The main function of the muscular spindle is to detect changes in muscle length and muscle stretch. When a muscle is stretched, the muscle spindle is also stretched, leading to a deformation of the intrafusal fibers. This deformation triggers the activation of sensory nerve endings wrapped around the spindle. These nerve endings detect the deformation and send signals to the spinal cord, relaying information to the brain.
The information provided by muscular spindles is crucial for maintaining proper posture, coordinating movements, and preventing overstretching of muscles. This feedback mechanism allows the central nervous system to continuously monitor muscle length and make adjustments in muscle contraction to maintain stability and prevent potential damage.
Overall, the muscular spindle plays a vital role in proprioception, providing important sensory information about muscle length, changes in muscle length, and muscle tension to the central nervous system.
A fiber of striated muscle.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "muscular spindle" is derived from two components: "muscular" and "spindle".
1. "Muscular" originated from the Latin word "musculus", meaning "little mouse", which was used to refer to the muscles in the human body. Over time, "musculus" evolved into "muscularis" in Latin and eventually became "muscular" in English.
2. "Spindle" comes from the Old English word "spindel" or "spinnel", which referred to the rod or stick used for spinning fibers into thread or yarn. This term was derived from the Proto-Germanic word "spindaz" and is also related to the Old High German word "spinnala" and the Old Norse word "spǫnn".
When combined, "muscular spindle" refers to a specific structure found in muscle tissue that resembles a spindle in its shape.