Ruffini's corpuscles

Ruffini's corpuscles, also known as Ruffini endings or bulbous corpuscles, are one of the four major types of mechanoreceptors found in the skin. They play a crucial role in the sensory system of humans and other animals by detecting stretch, sustained pressure, and heat. These corpuscles are named after Angelo Ruffini, an Italian histologist who first described them in the late 19th century.

Structure and Location

Ruffini's corpuscles are spindle-shaped, encapsulated nerve endings that reside in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue of the skin. They are primarily located in the glabrous skin, such as the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, as well as in the joint capsules, where they serve as proprioceptors.

Function

The primary function of Ruffini's corpuscles is to detect skin stretch, joint movements, and changes in the angle of joints, contributing to the body's proprioception and kinesthesia. They are slowly adapting mechanoreceptors, which means they continue to respond to a stimulus over a prolonged period. This characteristic allows them to provide the central nervous system with continuous feedback on the position of limbs and digits, the shape of objects being held, and the detection of slippage along the skin's surface.

Ruffini's corpuscles also play a role in the perception of heat. They respond to temperature changes in the moderate range, complementing the function of other thermoreceptors in the skin.

Clinical Significance

Understanding the function and distribution of Ruffini's corpuscles is important in clinical contexts, particularly in diagnosing and treating conditions related to sensory deficits. Damage to these receptors can impair proprioception and the ability to perceive heat, affecting an individual's fine motor skills and spatial awareness.

Research and Applications

Research into Ruffini's corpuscles has implications for the development of advanced prosthetics and robotic technology. By mimicking the sensory feedback mechanisms of these corpuscles, scientists aim to create prosthetic limbs that provide users with a more natural sense of touch and proprioception.

See Also

• Mechanoreceptor
• Proprioception
• Dermis
• Sensory system