TACTILE CORPUSCLE Meaning and
Definition
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A tactile corpuscle, also referred to as Meissner's corpuscle, is a specialized sensory receptor found in the skin and mucous membranes that is responsible for detecting light touch and low-frequency vibrations. It is named after the German anatomist Georg Meissner, who first described its structure and function.
Tactile corpuscles are oval or elongated structures present within the dermal papillae of the skin, particularly in areas such as the fingertips, palms, soles of the feet, and lips. They are composed of specialized nerve endings encapsulated within connective tissue layers. These nerve endings, known as mechanoreceptors, are highly sensitive to mechanical pressure and deformations of the skin.
When a light touch or a gentle vibration is applied to the skin, the encapsulated nerve endings within the tactile corpuscle are stimulated. This creates an electrical signal that is transmitted to the brain through sensory nerve fibers, allowing the detection and perception of tactile sensations. Consequently, tactile corpuscles play a crucial role in the sensation of touch, enabling individuals to perceive the texture, shape, and movement of objects they come into contact with.
In addition to their role in tactile perception, tactile corpuscles are also involved in other sensory processes, such as the perception of braille and the ability to track the movement of objects across the skin. Their presence in large numbers in areas of the body with high sensory acuity makes them essential for our everyday tactile experiences.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for TACTILE CORPUSCLE
Etymology of TACTILE CORPUSCLE
The word "tactile" comes from the Latin word "tactus", which means "touch" or "feeling". The word "corpuscle" comes from the Latin word "corpusculum", meaning "a small body" or "particle". So, the term "tactile corpuscle" can be broken down into "tactile", referring to touch, and "corpuscle", referring to a small body or particle. In this context, "tactile corpuscle" is used to describe a specific type of sensory receptor in the skin that is responsible for detecting and transmitting the sense of touch to the brain.
