Nerve supply to the skin

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Overview of the nerve supply to the skin



The nerve supply to the skin is a critical component of the peripheral nervous system, responsible for providing sensory information from the skin to the central nervous system. This sensory information includes touch, pain, temperature, and proprioception, which are essential for protective reflexes and the perception of the environment.

Structure[edit | edit source]

The skin is innervated by a network of cutaneous nerves, which are branches of larger peripheral nerves. These nerves contain both sensory and autonomic fibers. The sensory fibers are responsible for transmitting information from the skin to the brain, while the autonomic fibers regulate functions such as blood flow and sweating.

Types of Nerve Fibers[edit | edit source]

The nerve fibers in the skin can be classified into several types based on their function and structure:

  • Aβ fibers: These are large, myelinated fibers that conduct signals rapidly. They are responsible for transmitting information related to touch and pressure.
  • Aδ fibers: These are smaller, myelinated fibers that conduct signals at a moderate speed. They are involved in transmitting information about cold and sharp pain.
  • C fibers: These are unmyelinated fibers that conduct signals slowly. They are responsible for transmitting information about warmth, dull pain, and itch.

Function[edit | edit source]

The primary function of the nerve supply to the skin is to provide sensory input to the central nervous system. This input is crucial for:

  • Touch: The ability to perceive mechanical stimuli, such as pressure and vibration.
  • Temperature: The ability to detect changes in temperature, both hot and cold.
  • Pain: The perception of noxious stimuli that may cause tissue damage.
  • Proprioception: The sense of the relative position of one's own body parts.

Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]

Damage to the nerve supply of the skin can result in a variety of sensory deficits, including:

  • Anesthesia: Loss of sensation in the affected area.
  • Paresthesia: Abnormal sensations such as tingling or "pins and needles."
  • Hyperesthesia: Increased sensitivity to stimulation.
  • Neuropathic pain: Pain resulting from nerve damage.

Conditions such as diabetes mellitus, herpes zoster, and peripheral neuropathy can affect the nerve supply to the skin, leading to these symptoms.

Also see[edit | edit source]

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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD