free nerve ending

free nerve ending,

a receptor nerve ending that is not enclosed in a capsule. A typical free nerve ending consists of a bare axon that may be myelinated or unmyelinated. It is often found in fibrous capsules, ligaments, or synovial spaces and may be sensitive to mechanical or biochemical stimuli.

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ending [end´ing]

a finishing or final part of something, especially the peripheral termination of a nerve or nerve fiber. Called also terminatio and terminus.

free nerve ending the type of neural receptor with the simplest form, in which the peripheral nerve fiber divides into fine branches that terminate freely in connective tissue or epithelium.

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ending,

n a termination; the point at which something is concluded.

ending, annulospiral,

n a nerve ending, associated with an intrafusal muscle fiber, that is stimulated by a stretch impulse resulting from the extension of a muscle. The ending is in the form of a gradual spiral around the length of the intrafusal muscle fiber in the muscle spindle and is connected to the coarse myelinated fibers.

ending, flower spray,

n a sensory nerve ending that is attached to the distal end of an intrafusal muscle fiber and that is stimulated when the muscle fiber contracts, pulling on the nerve ending.

ending, free nerve,

n the peripheral terminal of the sensory nerve.