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    From Integumentary System

    Hair Papilla
    Cluster of cells at the base of the hair follicle containing capillaries.
    Hair Follicle
    Root of the hair embedded in the skin.
    Dermis
    Layer below the epidermis providing structure and flexibility.
    Sebaceous Glands
    Glands that produce sebum (oil) to lubricate skin and hair.
    Arrector Pili Muscle
    Small muscle attached to hair follicles causing hair to stand up.
    Stratum Granulosum
    Layer of epidermis where keratinization begins.
    Sweat Glands
    Glands that produce sweat to regulate body temperature.
    Stratum Lucidum
    Layer found only in thick skin, providing extra protection.
    Papillary Layer
    Upper layer of dermis, containing capillaries and sensory neurons.
    Apocrine Sweat Glands
    Sweat glands found in the armpits and genital areas.
    Hair
    Strands of keratinized cells that grow from follicles beneath the skin.
    Lymphatic Vessels
    Vessels responsible for transporting lymph throughout the skin.
    Nail Matrix
    Region of nail growth located beneath the base of the nail.
    Reticular Layer
    Deeper dermal layer, housing collagen and elastin fibers.
    Free Nerve Endings
    Pain receptors (nociceptors) and temperature receptors.
    Hemoglobin
    Oxygen-carrying protein in blood responsible for the red coloration of skin.
    Ruffini Endings
    Receptors that detect skin stretch and finger position.
    Mammary Glands
    Glands in females that produce milk during lactation.
    Stratum Corneum
    Outermost layer of epidermis composed of dead, flattened skin cells.
    Pheomelanin
    Type of melanin that produces yellow and red pigmentation.
    Eccrine Sweat Glands
    Most common sweat glands, found all over the body.
    Merkel Discs
    Receptors that detect light touch and pressure.
    Connective Tissue
    Fibrous tissue supporting the skin and other organs.
    Nails
    Hard, keratinized extensions at the tips of fingers and toes.
    Melanin
    Pigment responsible for skin color.

    Tactile (Meissner's) Corpuscles

    Reviewed by our medical team

    Receptors that detect light touch.

    1. Overview

    Tactile corpuscles, also known as Meissner’s corpuscles, are encapsulated mechanoreceptors located in the superficial dermis of the skin. They are highly specialized for detecting fine touch and low-frequency vibration. As rapidly adapting receptors, they respond quickly to changes in stimuli but stop firing if the stimulus remains constant. These corpuscles are essential for tactile discrimination and are most abundant in areas of the body that require heightened sensitivity, such as the fingertips and lips.

    2. Location

    Tactile corpuscles are primarily found in the papillary layer of the dermis, especially in glabrous (hairless) skin:

    • Fingertips – highest density for precision grip and texture discrimination.

    • Palms and soles – important for pressure and object detection.

    • Lips and facial skin – for oral and facial tactile sensitivity.

    • Nipples and external genitalia – contributing to erogenous sensitivity.

    They are located just beneath the epidermis, typically within dermal papillae, closely associated with the epidermal-dermal junction.

    3. Structure

    Tactile corpuscles have a distinct, encapsulated, oval-shaped structure:

    • Capsule:

      • Surrounded by connective tissue, providing protection and structural organization.

    • Stacked lamellae:

      • Consist of flattened supportive cells (modified Schwann cells) arranged in horizontal layers resembling a stack of coins.

    • Afferent nerve fibers:

      • Myelinated nerve endings spiral between the lamellae, losing their myelin sheath upon entry.

    Their structure is optimized for detecting movement across the skin surface and changes in pressure.

    4. Function

    Tactile corpuscles perform several essential sensory functions:

    • Fine touch perception: Detect light touch and subtle changes in texture or surface contours.

    • Low-frequency vibration detection: Respond to stimuli in the range of 10–50 Hz.

    • Rapid adaptation: Fire only at the onset and removal of a stimulus, allowing detection of dynamic changes.

    • Two-point discrimination: Aid in spatial resolution, enabling detection of closely spaced stimuli.

    5. Physiological role(s)

    Tactile corpuscles contribute to various physiological functions beyond basic touch:

    • Grip control: Provide real-time feedback when objects begin to slip, allowing rapid grip adjustment.

    • Exploratory behavior: Facilitate shape, texture, and size assessment during object manipulation.

    • Protective reflexes: Allow quick withdrawal from potentially harmful stimuli by detecting sudden contact.

    • Neural development and plasticity: Help maintain cortical maps for fine tactile processing in the brain.

    6. Clinical Significance

    Alterations in tactile corpuscle function can be indicators or causes of various sensory disorders:

    • Aging:

      • Tactile corpuscles decline in number and sensitivity with age, contributing to decreased tactile acuity in elderly individuals.

    • Peripheral neuropathy:

      • Damage from diabetes, chemotherapy, or alcohol abuse may impair tactile corpuscle function, reducing fine touch sensation.

    • Neurodegenerative conditions:

      • Diseases such as Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis can impair somatosensory feedback, partly due to reduced receptor input.

    • Testing and diagnostics:

      • Two-point discrimination tests, used to assess somatosensory function, rely on tactile corpuscle density and sensitivity.

    • Surgical and prosthetic relevance:

      • Understanding tactile corpuscle function is essential in designing neuroprosthetics and skin grafts with preserved or restored touch sensitivity.

    Did you know? The skin has a natural protective barrier called the acid mantle, which helps keep bacteria and other microorganisms from entering the body.