Mechanoreceptor

A sensory receptor activated by physical deformation, including pressure, stretch, touch, or vibration. Its response converts mechanical energy into signals that sensory neurons can transmit.

Mechanotransduction: The conversion of mechanical stimuli into electrical or biochemical signals by cells. It names the process by which mechanoreceptors turn force into neural activity.
Sensory neuron: A neuron that detects stimuli or carries sensory information toward the central nervous system. Many mechanoreceptors are specialized endings of sensory neurons.
Cutaneous mechanoreceptor: A mechanoreceptor in the skin that responds to touch, pressure, vibration, or skin stretch. These receptors provide the neural basis for discriminative touch.
Nociceptor: A sensory receptor that detects stimuli capable of causing tissue damage. Nociceptors signal potentially harmful conditions rather than ordinary mechanical touch.
Mechanically gated ion channel: An ion channel whose opening or closing is controlled by mechanical force. These channels provide a direct route from membrane deformation to receptor current.
Somatosensory system: The nervous system's pathways for sensing touch, temperature, pain, and body position. Mechanoreceptors supply much of the system's information about touch and movement.
Proprioceptor: A sensory receptor that reports body position and movement, especially from muscles and joints. Proprioceptors detect mechanical changes that inform the brain about limb configuration.
Thermoreceptor: A sensory receptor that responds to changes in temperature. Thermoreceptors detect thermal energy rather than physical deformation.
Receptor potential: A graded change in a sensory receptor's membrane voltage after stimulation. Mechanical stimulation produces graded voltage changes before sensory neurons fire action potentials.
Sensory transduction: The conversion of a sensory stimulus into a cellular signal. It is the broader process that includes mechanical transduction.

Linked from 20 pages