End organ meaning

The term end organ refers to the specific tissues or organs in the body that are affected by a particular hormone or nerve signal.


End organ definitions

Word backwards dne nagro
Part of speech Noun
Syllabic division end organ end or-gan
Plural The plural of end organ is end organs.
Total letters 8
Vogais (3) e,o,a
Consonants (4) n,d,r,g

End organs are specialized structures within the body that detect specific stimuli and convert them into signals that the brain can interpret. These organs are located at the end of sensory nerves and play a crucial role in the sensation of touch, temperature, pressure, pain, and proprioception.

Structure and Function

End organs come in various forms depending on their function. For example, mechanoreceptors detect mechanical stimuli like touch and pressure, while thermoreceptors respond to temperature changes. Nociceptors, on the other hand, are responsible for detecting pain, and proprioceptors provide information about body position and movement.

Sensory Transduction

When a stimulus is detected by an end organ, it triggers a series of events known as sensory transduction. This process involves the conversion of a physical stimulus into an electrical signal that can be transmitted along nerves to the brain. Different end organs have specialized mechanisms for transducing specific types of stimuli.

Importance of End Organs

End organs are essential for our survival and well-being as they allow us to interact with our environment and respond to potential dangers. Without these specialized structures, we would not be able to feel pain, regulate our body temperature, or have a sense of touch.

In conclusion, end organs are remarkable structures that enable us to experience the world around us. They are diverse in their functions and play a vital role in our sensory perception. Understanding how these organs work can provide valuable insights into the complexity of the human body and how we interact with our surroundings.


End organ Examples

  1. The retina is an end organ that detects light and sends signals to the brain.
  2. The skin is an end organ that senses touch, temperature, and pain.
  3. The taste buds on the tongue are end organs responsible for detecting flavors.
  4. The hair cells in the inner ear are end organs involved in hearing.
  5. The olfactory receptors in the nose are end organs responsible for the sense of smell.
  6. The Pacinian corpuscles in the skin are end organs that detect pressure and vibration.
  7. The baroreceptors in blood vessels are end organs that regulate blood pressure.
  8. The muscle spindles in muscles are end organs that sense changes in muscle length.
  9. The photoreceptor cells in the eye are end organs that capture light for vision.
  10. The taste receptors on the taste buds are end organs responsible for the sense of taste.


Most accessed

Search the alphabet

  • #
  • Aa
  • Bb
  • Cc
  • Dd
  • Ee
  • Ff
  • Gg
  • Hh
  • Ii
  • Jj
  • Kk
  • Ll
  • Mm
  • Nn
  • Oo
  • Pp
  • Qq
  • Rr
  • Ss
  • Tt
  • Uu
  • Vv
  • Ww
  • Xx
  • Yy
  • Zz
  • Updated 12/04/2024 - 12:59:49