Touch Receptors

Touch receptors, also known as mechanoreceptors, are specialized cells in the skin that respond to mechanical stimuli.

Types of Touch Receptors

• Pacinian Corpuscles

  • Location: Deep in the dermis

  • Function: Detects vibration and deep pressure. Adapting rapidly to stimuli.

• Ruffini Endings

  • Location: Deep in the dermis

  • Function: Responds to skin stretch and is slowly adapting.

• Meissner Corpuscles

  • Location: Superficial dermis

  • Function: Sensitive to light touch and texture, rapidly adapting.

• Merkel Cells

  • Location: Superficial epidermis

  • Function: Detects texture, edges, and shapes, slowly adapting.

Adaptation Rates

• Rapidly Adapting Receptors:

  • Pacinian Corpuscles

  • Meissner Corpuscles

• Slowly Adapting Receptors:

  • Ruffini Endings

  • Merkel Cells

Summary of Functions

• Discriminatory Touch:

  • Meissner Corpuscles and Merkel Cells aid in identifying texture and edges.

• Vibration Detection:

  • Pacinian Corpuscles are key in detecting vibrations.

• Pressure and Stretch Sensation:

  • Ruffini Endings are essential for sensing skin stretch and pressure.