Sensory Receptors

Meissner corpuscles

Mechanoreceptors (encapsulated) in dermal papillae sensing light touch and low frequency vibrations

Pacinian corpuscles

Mechanoreceptors (encapsulated) in the deeper layers of the skin responsible for detecting deep pressure and high frequency vibrations.

Hair root plexuses

Mechanoreceptors (unencapsulated) wrapped around hair follicles in the reticular layer of the dermis. Responds to hair movement and subtle environmental changes.

Merkel discs

Mechanoreceptors (unencapsulated) in the epidermis, responsible for sensing light touch and texture.

Ruffini corpuscles

Proprioceptor / Thermoreceptor that responds to warmth as well as skin stretch and sustained pressure (in deeper layers of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue)

Muscle spindles

Proprioceptors in skeletal muscles that detect change in length

Golgi tendon organs

Proprioceptor located at junction where muscle meets tendon and detects muscle tension

Krause end bulbs

Thermoreceptors located in the dermis and responds to cold temperatures

Somatic nociceptors

Nociceptors detecting damage to the body’s surface or muscles

Visceral nociceptors

Nociceptors detecting internal damage