Question

What are tactile corpuscles? What do they do? Where are they located?

Answer 1

Tactile corpuscles, also known as Meissner's corpuscles, are sensory receptors in our skin that play a key role in the sense of touch. They are found in the dermal papillae, which are small projections in the upper layer of the skin called the dermis. Tactile corpuscles are most densely located in areas of our body that are highly sensitive to touch, such as the fingertips, lips, and palms of our hands. These tiny corpuscles are responsible for detecting light touch, vibration, and changes in texture. When they are stimulated, they send signals to our brain, allowing us to perceive and interpret different sensations of touch.

Answer 2

Tactile corpuscles are mechanoreceptors found in the upper dermis that respond to light touch and low-frequency vibration, with a high concentration in fingertips and eyelids. Pacinian corpuscles detect deeper pressure and high-frequency vibration and are located deeper in the dermis of various body parts.

Step-by-step explanation:

Tactile corpuscles, also known as Meissner's corpuscles, are specialized mechanoreceptors responsible for the sensation of light touch and low-frequency vibration. They are rapidly adapting, fluid-filled, and encapsulated neurons that can be found primarily in the upper dermis, projecting into the epidermis. Tactile corpuscles are especially abundant in the fingertips and eyelids, areas sensitive to fine touch and details, whereas areas like the palms have fewer tactile corpuscles. These receptors are part of a larger group of mechanoreceptors, including Merkel cells that sense low frequency vibrations, and lamellated corpuscles, also known as Pacinian corpuscles, which detect deep pressure and high-frequency vibrations.

Pacinian corpuscles, in contrast to Meissner's corpuscles, are located deeper in the dermis or subcutaneous tissue and respond to deep transient pressure and high-frequency vibration. They can also be found in various body parts such as the bone periosteum, joint capsules, and viscera.