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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
Dictionary Entries Near muscle spindle
Cite this Entry
“Muscle spindle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/muscle%20spindle. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
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
More from Merriam-Webster on muscle spindle
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about muscle spindle
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