Tactile corpuscle
Tactile Corpuscle
Tactile corpuscles (IPA: /ˈtæktaɪl ˈkɔːrpʌsəl/), also known as Meissner's corpuscles, are one of the four major types of mechanoreceptors found in the skin. They are responsible for sensitivity to light touch.
Etymology
The term "tactile corpuscle" is derived from the Latin tactilis, meaning "able to touch", and corpusculum, meaning "little body". The alternate name, "Meissner's corpuscle", is named after the German anatomist Georg Meissner who discovered them.
Function
Tactile corpuscles are oval-shaped and consist of spiralling arrays of Schwann cells around a central nerve fiber. They are most abundant in the thick skin of the fingertips and soles, where they function as rapidly adapting mechanoreceptors. They respond to pressure changes, such as when an object begins or ceases to press against the skin.
Related Terms
- Mechanoreceptor: A sensory receptor that responds to mechanical pressure or distortion.
- Schwann Cell: A type of glial cell that forms insulating myelin sheaths around the axons of neurons in the peripheral nervous system.
- Georg Meissner: A German anatomist and professor who is known for his work in histology. The tactile corpuscles were named after him.
- Nerve Fiber: A long, slender projection of a nerve cell, or neuron, that conducts electrical impulses away from the neuron's cell body.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Tactile corpuscle
- Wikipedia's article - Tactile corpuscle
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