Receptors
Receptors convert signals from the internal or external environment into a nervous signal (transduction) and are innervated by sensory, pseudounipolar neurons. Encapsulated receptors are enveloped by fibroblast-like cells and respond to pressure, light touch and vibration. Non-encapsulated receptors are essentially free nerve endings that respond to thermal and noxious (painful) stimuli. Receptors, while found throughout the body, are more numerous in regions such as joints and fingertips. 1000x
Meissner's corpuscle >
Meissner’s corpuscles, encapsulated sensory receptors located in connective tissue of skin beneath the epithelium (epidermis), provide fine touch discrimination and are most concentrated in finger tips and lips. These corpuscles consist of Schwann cells, spiraling like a spring around an unmyelinated sensory axon. Deformation of this spring generates action potentials in the axon.
Skin epithelium (epidermis)
Meissner’s corpuscles, encapsulated sensory receptors located in connective tissue of skin beneath the epithelium (epidermis), provide fine touch discrimination and are most concentrated in finger tips and lips. These corpuscles consist of Schwann cells, spiraling like a spring around an unmyelinated sensory axon. Deformation of this spring generates action potentials in the axon.
Connective tissue
Meissner’s corpuscles, encapsulated sensory receptors located in connective tissue of skin beneath the epithelium (epidermis), provide fine touch discrimination and are most concentrated in finger tips and lips. These corpuscles consist of Schwann cells, spiraling like a spring around an unmyelinated sensory axon. Deformation of the spring generates action potentials in the axon.
Blood vessel
Meissner’s corpuscles, encapsulated sensory receptors located in connective tissue of skin beneath the epithelium (epidermis), provide fine touch discrimination and are most concentrated in finger tips and lips. These corpuscles consist of Schwann cells, spiraling like a spring around an unmyelinated sensory axon. Deformation of the spring generates action potentials in the axon.
