Anatomical classes of receptors
Functional classes of receptors
General senses
usually refer to sensations related to the skin or intermal organs: pain, touch, pressure, temperature, movement, body chemistry
Nociceptors
signals interpreted as pain
Thermoreceptors
usually consist of free nerve endings
Mechanoreceptors
signals interpreted as touch, pressure and vibration
Baroreceptors (found mostly in blood vessels and heart)
signals interpreted as pressure in blood vessels and heart
Proprioceptors (found mostly in muscles and tendons)
signals interpreted as position of joints and muscles
Chemoreceptors
signals interpreted as the presence of a chemical (..glucose, pH)
Special senses
usually refer to sensations related to the ears, nose, tongue, eyes: hearing, balance, smell, taste, vision
Mechanoreceptors
Auditory receptors (Hair cells)
signals interpreted as sound
Vestibular receptors (Hair cells)
signals interpreted as balance
Chemoreceptors
Olfactory receptors
signals interpreted as odors
Gustatory receptors
signals interpreted as tastes
Photoreceptors
signals interpreted as visual images
© David G. Ward, Ph.D. Last modified by wardd 23 May, 2006