Joint receptor contributions to reflexive and kinesthetic responses
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Muscle Receptor Organs in the Crayfish Abdomen: A Student Laboratory Exercise in Proprioception
Published on: November 19, 2010
Abstract:
This article presents a review of the neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of joint receptors. The role of joint receptors in signaling position and movement has been studied since the early part of this century. Morphological descriptions and reflexive and kinesthetic contributions of articular receptors in the regulation of motor behavior have been identified in studies on anesthetized animals and to a lesser extent in studies on human subjects. Areas for future laboratory and clinical research include articular receptor input in motor learning and relearning tasks as well as standardization of methodology and responses for assessing joint position.
Related Concept Videos
Somatosensation
Internal Receptors
Internal Receptors
Indirect Motor Pathways
The vestibulospinal tract originates in the vestibular nuclei of the brainstem. The vestibular system detects changes in...
Reflex Activity
A reflex exam is a diagnostic procedure performed by a healthcare professional to evaluate the functionality of a patient's...
Somatic Spinal Reflexes
One of the most well-known somatic spinal reflexes is the stretch reflex, which is activated by the sudden stretching of a muscle. This reflex involves the activation of specialized sensory receptors called muscle spindles, which are located in the muscle tissue and detect changes in the length and speed of muscle contractions. When a muscle is suddenly...

