Glossary / Lexicon

Proprioceptor is a receptor that is sensitive to the position and movement of a part of the body. Proprioceptors are likewise, receptors that provide information about the position and movement of the body; includes muscle and joint receptors as well as the receptors in the semi-circular canals of the inner ear. Proprioceptor is a word derived from Latin "Proprius", which means "one's own" structures on skeletal muscles that detect movement via degree of stretch, angle, and relative position of limbs. Proprioceptors on the hands help identify the shapes of objects via touch.