Sensory receptor

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Structure of human sensory system








Adequate stimulus[edit]



Sensory receptors can be classified by location:



Rate of adaptation[edit]

  • A tonic receptor is a sensory receptor that adapts slowly to a stimulus[citation needed] and continues to produce action potentials over the duration of the stimulus.[3] In this way it conveys information about the duration of the stimulus. Some tonic receptors are permanently active and indicate a background level. Examples of such tonic receptors are pain receptors, joint capsule, and muscle spindle.[4]
  • A phasic receptor is a sensory receptor that adapts rapidly to a stimulus. The response of the cell diminishes very quickly and then stops.[citation needed] It does not provide information on the duration of the stimulus;[3] instead some of them convey information on rapid changes in stimulus intensity and rate.[4] An example of a phasic receptor is the Pacinian corpuscle.


Main article: Sensory fiber types

Different sensory receptors are innervated by different types of nerve fibers. Muscles and associated sensory receptors are innervated by type I and II sensory fibers, while cutaneous receptors are innervated by Aβ, Aδ and C fibers.

See also[edit]

Additional images[edit]


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  3. ^ a b,%2017%2018.ppt[dead link]
  4. ^ a b Archived August 3, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.

External links[edit]