proprioceptor

noun

pro·​pri·​o·​cep·​tor ˌprō-prē-ō-ˈsep-tər 

: a sensory receptor (such as a muscle spindle) excited by proprioceptive stimuli (such as changes in limb position)

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin proprius + New Latin -ceptor (as in receptor)

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

proprioceptor

noun

pro·​prio·​cep·​tor -ˈsep-tər 

: a sensory receptor that is located deep in the tissues (as in skeletal or heart muscle, tendons, the gastrointestinal wall, or the carotid sinus) and that functions in proprioception (as in response to changes of physical tension or chemical condition within the body)