Massage & Bodywork

SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2016

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C h e c k o u t A B M P 's l a t e s t n e w s a n d b l o g p o s t s . Av a i l a b l e a t w w w. a b m p . c o m . 43 FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY education Joint Mechanoreceptors By Christy Cael Continuing our examination of proprioception that began in the March/April 2016 issue ("Muscle Spindles," page 45), we will now examine the role of articular mechanoreceptors. These sensory structures reside around and within synovial joints and use mechanical deformation to register and report joint position, movement direction, and movement speed. The information gathered by joint mechanoreceptors tends to be subtler than that of their muscular counterparts, as these structures are activated by relatively small amounts of stimulus (low threshold detection). Despite this, the information they provide has significant influence over neuromuscular control mechanisms, influencing the activity of the entire proprioceptive system at multiple segments in the kinetic chain. The three types of articular mechanoreceptors are: Type I, Ruffinian—Globular or ovoid corpuscle with a thin capsule. • Located in outer layer of joint capsule • Low threshold detection (sensitive to fine movements) • Slow adaptation • Constantly firing to maintain posture Type II, Pacinian—Cylindrical or conical corpuscle with thick, lamellated, or plated capsule. • Located within deeper layers of joint capsule • Low threshold detection (sensitive to fine movements) • Rapid adaptation • Activity quickly ceases when joint stops moving Type III, Golgi-like—Fusiform corpuscle with thin capsule. • Located in intrinsic and extrinsic ligaments • High threshold detection (sensitive to extreme movements) • Slow adaptation • Inhibitory effect to slow or limit harmful movements Images courtesy Mikkel Juul Jensen Science Photo Library. Type I, Ruffinian—Globular or ovoid corpuscle with a thin capsule. Type II, Pacinian—Cylindrical or conical corpuscle with thick, lamellated, or plated capsule. Type III, Golgi-like—Fusiform corpuscle with thin capsule. Three Types of Articular Mechanoreceptors

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