Dictionary > Proprioception

Proprioception

Definition
noun
A sensory perception of motion and relative position of the body through the receptors in tissues such as muscles, tendons, inner ear and joints
Supplement
Proprioception is a perception or sense of the movement and the position of one’s body at a subconscious level. It enables the individual to sense the relative position of body parts to the other parts of the body. It also enables to perceive the strength of effort used in movement.1 For instance, the person would be able to know the position of the arm above the head or would be able to touch the nose with one’s finger even if blindfolded. This is possible because the muscle of the body would relay information to the brain from the sensory nerves that the body part is moving with respect to the other parts of the body.
Proprioception is sometimes used interchangeably with kinesthesia or kinesthetic sense. That is because kinesthesia refers to the awareness of movement and position of the body parts by means of proprioceptors. However, kinesthesia is more about the sense of motion and excludes the sense of equilibrium or balance. A disruption in the sense of equilibrium or balance would also affect proprioception but not kinesthetic sense.2
Word origin: Latin proprius (“one’s own”, “individual”) + capio, capere (“to take or grasp”)
See also:

Reference(s):

1Proprioception. Retrieved from ://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proprioception.

2Proprioception. Retrieved from ://www.physio-pedia.com/Proprioception.


You will also like...

New Zealand Fauna
New Zealand’s Unique Fauna

Meet some of New Zealand's unique fauna, including endemic insects, frogs, reptiles, birds, and mammals, and investigate..

Types and Causes of Brain Damage
Types and Causes of Brain Damage

This tutorial describes the different types and causes of brain damage. Find out how genetics, physical injury, lack of ..

Physical growth
Physical Development in Humans

This tutorial elaborates on the physical development of humans, particularly from puberty to adulthood. Read this tutori..

The Human Physiology
The Human Physiology

Physiology is the study of how living organisms function. Thus, human physiology deals specifically with the physiologic..

green plant cells
Plant Cells vs. Animal Cells

Plant cells have plastids essential in photosynthesis. They also have an additional layer called cell wall on their cell..

Gibberellins and Gibberellic Acid
Gibberellins and Gibberellic Acid

This tutorial describes the role of gibberellin family in plants. Find out the effects of gibberellin on plant growth an..

Related Articles...

No related articles found

See all Related Topics