Trigeminal Proprioception

Question 1

What’s propriception?

Answer 1

Awareness of position of body parts in relation to each other and surroundings

Question 2

What’s kinaesthesia?

Answer 2

movement awareness

Question 3

What are the trigeminal proprioceptors?

Answer 3

1. Muscles of mastication (muscle spindles)
2. Periodontal ligament mechanoreceptors (PDLMs)
3. TMJ receptors

Question 4

What are intrafusal muscle fibres?

Answer 4

Muscle spindles/specialised muscle fibres within a CT capsule

• Surrounded by the bulk of muscle contractile muscle fibres

Question 5

What are the afferent fibres bound to muscle spindle contractile and non-contractile areas?

Answer 5

1. Ia/primary afferent fibre nerve endings are bound to the non-contractile/stretchy portion in the centre = detects length of fibres and speed of change in length
2. II/secondary fibre nerve endings which detects length of fibres

Question 6

What is the efferent nerve fibre attached to the contractile portion of muscle spindle fibres?

Answer 6

1. Gamma efferent fibres = motor neuron
   - Cause contraction of intrafusal fibres
   - Maintain tension in spindle and spindle afferent activity

Question 7

Outline spindle action

Answer 7

1. Holding glass and fill
2. Bicep spindle stretch
3. Increases motor neuron drive to bicep
4. Muscle length maintained to resist the downward force

Question 8

What are other Propriceptors?

Answer 8

1. Golgi Tendon Organs

- In tendon