stretch receptor

receptor

 [re-sep´tor]

1. a molecule on the cell surface (cell-surface or membrane receptor) or within a cell, usually in its nucleus (nuclear receptor) that recognizes and binds with specific molecules, producing some effect in the cell; e.g., the cell-surface receptors of immunocompetent cells that recognize antigens, complement components, or lymphokines; or those of neurons and target organs that recognize neurotransmitters or hormones.

2. a sensory nerve ending that responds to various stimuli.

General sense receptors. (From Applegate, 2000.)

α-r's (α-adrenergic r's) alpha-adrenergic receptors.

adrenergic r's receptors for epinephrine or norepinephrine, such as those on effector organs innervated by postganglionic adrenergic fibers of the sympathetic nervous system. There are two types, alpha-adrenergic receptors and beta-adrenergic receptors.

alpha r's (alpha-adrenergic r's) adrenergic receptors found in cardiac muscle and vascular smooth muscle; they are stimulated by norepinephrine and blocked by agents such as phenoxybenzamine. They are subdivided into two types: α₁, found in smooth muscle, heart, and liver, with effects including vasoconstriction, intestinal relaxation, uterine contraction and pupillary dilation, and α₂, found in platelets, vascular smooth muscle, nerve termini, and pancreatic islets, with effects including platelet aggregation, vasoconstriction, and inhibition of norepinephrine release and of insulin secretion. Called also α-receptors and α-adrenergic receptors.

β-r's (β-adrenergic r's) beta-adrenergic receptors.

B cell antigen r's monomeric IgM, IgD, and (on memory cells only) IgG that is attached to the cell membrane of B lymphocytes (B cells); in conjunction with helper T cells, it triggers B cell activation on contact with antigen.

beta r's (beta-adrenergic r's) adrenergic receptors that are stimulated by epinephrine and blocked by agents such as propranolol. They are subdivided into two basic types: β₁-receptors are found in the myocardium and cause lipolysis and cardiac stimulation, and β₂-receptors are found in smooth and skeletal muscle and liver and cause bronchodilation and vasodilation. A third type, β₃, is atypical; it is more sensitive to norepinephrine than to epinephrine, relatively resistant to propranolol blockade, and may be involved in lipolysis regulation in adipose tissue. Called also β-receptors and β-adrenergic receptors.

cell-surface receptor membrane receptor.

cholinergic r's membrane receptors on cells of effector organs, innervated by cholinergic nerve fibers and responsive to the acetylcholine secreted by these fibers. There are two types, muscarinic receptors and nicotinic receptors.

complement receptor a membrane receptor that can bind activated complement components. For example, component C3b binds to complement receptors of neutrophils, B lymphocytes, and macrophages.

estrogen receptor a cellular regulatory protein that binds estrogenic hormones, found particularly in estrogen-sensitive tissues such as the uterus and breast. Cytoplasmic levels are measured in surgically removed breast carcinomas; high levels indicate that a positive response to endocrine therapy is likely.

Fc r's specific membrane receptors for antigen-antibody complexes or aggregated immunoglobulins that bind a site in the Fc portion of the immunoglobulin molecule and may exhibit specificity for particular immunoglobulin classes. Fc receptors are found on B cells, K cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and eosinophils, and, during some developmental stages, on T cells.

histamine r's receptors for histamine. H₁-receptors mediate contraction of smooth muscles and dilation of capillaries, causing effects such as bronchoconstriction and contraction of the intestine; they are blocked by antihistamines such as pyrilamine or chlorpheniramine. H₂-receptors mediate acceleration of the heart rate and produce gastric acid secretion; they are blocked by agents such as cimetidine.

IgE r's membrane receptors for IgE, found on mast cells and basophils.

insulin r's a type of membrane receptors specific for insulin, found on target cells.

LDL r's (low-density lipoprotein r's) specific receptors for low-density lipoproteins found in coated pits on the surface of mammalian cells. The coated pits are internalized forming coated vesicles from which the receptors are recycled back to the plasma membrane while particles of low-density lipoprotein are transferred to lysosomes where they are degraded, releasing free cholesterol, phospholipids, and amino acids. Genetic defects in LDL receptors are responsible for familial hypercholesterolemia.

membrane receptor a receptor located on or in the membrane of a cell. Called also cell-surface receptor.

muscarinic r's cholinergic receptors on autonomic effector cells (and also on some autonomic ganglion cells and in some central neurons) that are stimulated by muscarine and parasympathomimetic drugs and blocked by atropine.

nicotinic r's cholinergic receptors of autonomic ganglion cells and motor end-plates of skeletal muscle that are stimulated by low doses of nicotine and blockaded by high doses of nicotine or by tubocurarine.

olfactory receptor a specialized sensory nerve-ending sensitive to stimulation giving rise to the sensation of odors; called also osmoreceptor.

Structure of the olfactory receptors. (From Applegate, 2000.)

opiate r's (opioid r's) receptors that combine with particular opiates to create analgesia and certain other effects. Several different ones have been identified and assigned Greek letters; the μ receptor gives superior analgesia, and the κ receptor is associated with a low degree of physical dependency.

pain r's free nerve endings that are receptors for pain.

stretch receptor a sense organ in a muscle or tendon that responds to elongation.

T cell r's the characteristic marker of T lymphocytes (T cells) that recognize specific foreign antigens as well as self MHC antigens; both must be seen simultaneously to trigger T cell activation (see also lymphocyte activation). The receptor is not a complete immunoglobulin molecule but may contain heavy and light chain variable regions.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

stretch receptor

n.

See muscle spindle.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

stretch receptor

A sensory nerve ending activated by stretching of the part in which it is situated. An example is the muscle spindle stretch receptor.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

Fig. 291 Stretch receptor . The stretch receptor of the muscle spindle.

stretch receptor

the receptor for the detection of muscle stretch located in the muscle spindle organ. The receptor is situated centrally and consists of spiral nerve endings (branches of an efferent nerve) surrounding noncontractile muscle fibres. Efferent nerve fibres connect at each end with contractile muscle fibres. Stretching of a muscle causes discharge from spiral nerve endings to the muscle itself thus causing contraction. The more the spindle is stretched the greater the efferent frequency of impulses and consequently the more the muscle contracts. This is the stretch reflex. Muscle spindles occur in numbers up to 30/g of muscle, shoulder and thigh muscles being spindle-poor and more distal muscles being spindle-rich. The largest numbers occur in the head and upper vertebral column.

Collins Dictionary of Biology, 3rd ed. © W. G. Hale, V. A. Saunders, J. P. Margham 2005