Definition

A type of sensory nerve that detects changes or stimuli coming from inside the body, such as from internal organs or the gut.

Example

Interoceptors play a crucial role in helping us understand our internal bodily states, like hunger or thirst.

Conversation

I was reading about how our body has these things called interoceptors.

Really? What do they do?

They help us sense things happening inside, like hunger or thirst.

That sounds fascinating! It's amazing how our bodies work.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Interoceptor → It is formed from "intero-" (from Latin "interus", meaning internal) and "ceptor" (from Latin "capere", meaning to seize or take). The word refers to a receptor that seizes or detects stimuli from within the body.

Memory Tip

Think of 'internal' ('intero-') signals being 'seized' ('ceptor') by the body — that's what an interoceptor does.

Visually Confused Words