Muscle Sense

MUSCLE SENSE

Muscle sense (also called proprioception or kines-thetic sense) was discussed and will be reviewed only briefly here. Stretch receptors (also called proprioceptors or muscle spindles) detect stretching of muscles and generate impulses, which enable the brain to create a mental picture to know where the muscles are and how they are positioned. Conscious muscle sense is felt by the parietal lobes. Unconscious muscle sense is used by the cerebellum to coordinate voluntary movements. We do not have to see our muscles to be sure that they are performing their intended actions. Muscle sense also contributes to our ability to distinguish the shape of objects.