Final answer:
Proprioception is the ability to know where your body is in space and is vital for balance and postural control. It is assessed through the Romberg test.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term for the ability to know where your body is in space is proprioception. This sensory perception is critical for maintaining balance and postural control. Proprioceptors, located in your muscles and joints, allow you to sense the position and movement of your body parts even without visual input. This is different from kinesthesia, which refers to the sensation of movement of the body in space, and from equilibrium or balance, which involves combining sensory inputs to maintain a stable posture.
A clinical test known as the Romberg test is used to assess a person's sense of proprioception. It requires the individual to stand with feet together and eyes closed, relying solely on proprioceptive and inner ear information to maintain balance.