Tactile corpuscle

A Tactile corpuscle (also known as a Meissner's corpuscle or Ruffini ending) is a type of mechanoreceptor, a sensory receptor that responds to mechanical pressure or distortion. They are primarily located in the skin and are responsible for sensitivity to light touch. In particular, they have the highest sensitivity when sensing vibrations between 10 and 50 Hertz.

Structure

Tactile corpuscles are encapsulated unmyelinated nerve endings, which consist of flattened supportive cells arranged as horizontal lamellae surrounded by a connective tissue capsule. The corpuscle is between 30-140 μm in length and 40-60 μm in diameter. A single nerve fiber meanders between the lamellae and throughout the corpuscle.

Function

The primary function of the tactile corpuscle is to detect vibrations. When a pressure change is detected, the corpuscle reacts by creating an action potential that sends information to the central nervous system (CNS) about the pressure change. This allows the body to react to potentially harmful objects in the surrounding environment.

Clinical significance

Tactile corpuscles are responsible for the ability to feel light touch, and a decrease in number can lead to a decreased sensitivity to touch. This can occur in conditions such as diabetes, where a high blood sugar level can damage the nerves, including those of the tactile corpuscles.

See also

• Merkel cell
• Pacinian corpuscle
• Free nerve ending
• Thermoreceptor

References

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  Illustration of tactile corpuscle in the skin
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  Diagram of tactile corpuscle from Gray's Anatomy
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  Detailed view of tactile corpuscle structure
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  Photomicrograph of Meissner's corpuscle