Neuromuscular spindle, a sensory receptor found in muscle fibers, can be a difficult word to spell. It is pronounced /njʊroʊˈmʌskjʊlər ˈspɪndl̩/. The first part, "neuro," refers to the nervous system, while "muscular" refers to muscles. The second part, "spindle," refers to the shape of the sensory receptor. The word can be broken down into four simple syllables, each with a clear pronunciation. Mastering the spelling of neuromuscular spindle can make it easier to discuss muscle fibers and their functions confidently.
The term "neuromuscular spindle" refers to a specialized sensory organ found within skeletal muscles that contributes to the regulation of muscle tone and coordination. It is a stretch receptor that detects changes in muscle length, providing important feedback to the central nervous system.
The neuromuscular spindle consists of several components, including intrafusal muscle fibers, sensory nerve endings, and motor nerve endings. The intrafusal muscle fibers are smaller, modified muscle fibers that are enveloped by a capsule and lie in parallel with the ordinary, or extrafusal, muscle fibers. The sensory nerve endings, known as primary afferents, wrap around the intrafusal fibers and are responsible for detecting changes in muscle length. On the other hand, the motor nerve endings innervate the contractile ends of the intrafusal fibers in order to control their length.
When the muscle lengthens or shortens, the neuromuscular spindle is stretched or compressed, respectively. This stretch stimulates the sensory nerve endings, which respond by generating electrical impulses. These impulses are then transmitted to the central nervous system, where they are interpreted as signals for muscle length and tension. In response, the central nervous system can adjust the firing rate of motor neurons to the muscle, producing changes in muscle contraction and allowing for the maintenance of appropriate muscle tone and precise control of movement.
In summary, the neuromuscular spindle is a sensory organ present in skeletal muscles that detects changes in muscle length and provides crucial information for the regulation of muscle tone, coordination, and movement.
Kuehne's muscle-spindle.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "neuromuscular spindle" has its etymology rooted in the respective components of the term, "neuro-" and "-muscular spindle".
1. Neuro-: The prefix "neuro-" derives from the Greek word "neuron", which means "nerve". It denotes anything related to the nervous system or nerves.
2. Muscular: The term "muscular" is derived from the Latin word "musculus", which means "muscle". It refers to anything related to muscles or muscle tissue.
3. Spindle: The word "spindle" comes from the Old English word "spindel" or the Old High German word "spinnala", both of which relate to a spinning device used for making yarn. In this context, it refers to a specialized sensory organ found within muscles.