Touch Receptors in the Nervous System: Types, Functions, and Receptive Fields

What is the role of touch receptors in the nervous system?

All touch receptors report to the thalamus before going to the somatosensory cortex in the parietal lobe for processing.

What do rapidly adapting receptors allow us to feel?

They allow the ability to feel vibrations, movements, changes in texture, and changes in stimulus.

What is the function of slowly adapting receptors?

They allow the ability to recognize size and shape of objects and respond to non-changing stimuli.

How does the size of receptive fields affect touch sensation?

Small receptive fields provide more detailed feeling, while large receptive fields offer less detail and a wider scope.

What are A beta fibers and their function?

A beta fibers are myelinated nerves that help transmit signals of touch.

Describe Merkel's disc and its function.

Merkel's disc is a slowly adapting receptor with small receptive fields that processes information about shape and texture.

What is the function of Meissner's corpuscle?

Meissner's corpuscle is a rapidly adapting receptor with small receptive fields that senses movement across the skin and low frequency vibrations.

What does the Pacinian corpuscle detect?

Pacinian corpuscle is a rapidly adapting receptor with large receptive fields that senses high frequency vibrations.

What is the role of Ruffini disc in touch sensation?

Ruffini disc is a slowly adapting receptor with large receptive fields that senses finger and hand position, skin stretching, and pressure.