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

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