Muscle Stretch Receptor Definition

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Muscle Stretch Receptor: Mechanoreceptors found between skeletal muscle fibers. Muscle spindles are arranged in parallel with muscle fibers and respond to the passive stretch of the muscle, but cease to discharge if the muscle contracts isotonically, thus signaling muscle length. The muscle spindles are the receptors responsible for the stretch or myotactic reflex (REFLEX, STRETCH).

Synonym: stretch, muscle receptors, neuromuscular spindle, muscle spindle.