Pacinian corpuscles

Pacinian Corpuscles

Pacinian corpuscles (pronounced: puh-SIN-ee-uhn KOR-puh-suhlz), also known as Lamellar corpuscles, are one of the four major types of mechanoreceptors found in the human skin. They are named after their discoverer, Italian anatomist Filippo Pacini.

Etymology

The term "Pacinian" is derived from the name of the Italian anatomist Filippo Pacini, who first described these structures in the 19th century. "Corpuscle" comes from the Latin corpusculum, meaning "small body".

Function

Pacinian corpuscles are responsible for the sensation of deep pressure and high-frequency vibration. They are the most sensitive to vibrations of all the mechanoreceptors. When pressure is applied to the skin, it deforms the corpuscle, leading to the generation of a nerve impulse in the associated sensory neuron.

Structure

Each Pacinian corpuscle is an oval-shaped structure made up of 20 to 60 concentric layers of collagen and fibroblasts, with a single neuron in the center. They are typically 1 mm in length and 0.1 mm in diameter.

Location

Pacinian corpuscles are found in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue of the skin, as well as in certain internal tissues such as the pancreas, mammary glands, and genitalia. They are most concentrated in areas of the skin that are particularly sensitive to vibration, such as the fingertips and soles of the feet.

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Pacinian corpuscles

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