muscle spindle

noun

: a sensory end organ in a muscle that is sensitive to stretch in the muscle, consists of small striated muscle fibers richly supplied with nerve fibers, and is enclosed in a connective tissue sheath

called also stretch receptor

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of muscle spindle was in 1894

Dictionary Entries Near muscle spindle

Cite this Entry

“Muscle spindle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/muscle%20spindle. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

muscle spindle

noun
: a structure at the ending of a group of nerve fibers in a muscle that is sensitive to stretching of the muscle, consists of small striated muscle fibers richly supplied with nerve fibers, and is enclosed in a sheath of connective tissue

called also stretch receptor

Medical Definition

muscle spindle

noun
: a sensory end organ in a muscle that is sensitive to stretch in the muscle, consists of small striated muscle fibers richly supplied with nerve fibers, and is enclosed in a connective tissue sheath

called also stretch receptor

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