Characteristics of knee joint receptors in the cat

Abstract

1. The conduction velocities of 278 posterior articular nerve fibres studied in dorsal root filaments ranged from 10 to 110 m/sec. The conduction velocities were distributed similarly to posterior articular nerve fibre diameters determined histologically. 2. Two hundred and nine fibres were slowly adapting. Of these, 140 responded only at both marked flexion and marked extension, forty‐seven responded only during flexion and twelve only during extension. Four slowly adapting fibres were activated specifically at intermediate joint positions. Outward twist of the tibia (abducting the foot) enhanced the discharge of most slowly adapting joint fibres. 3. Two rapidly adapting receptor types were noted. Pacinian corpuscle‐like receptors (fourteen fibres) responded transiently to joint movement in any direction regardless of initial position. Phasic joint receptors (thirty fibres) were rapidly adapting at most joint positions but could give a low rate sustained discharge when strongly stimulated. 4. Six slowly adapting posterior articular nerve fibres responded to succinylcholine, suggesting that they originated from muscle spindles. Spindle‐like receptors were usually tonically active at intermediate joint positions. 5. Eleven slowly conducting myelinated fibres responded only to extreme joint movement, which was probably noxious.