Page 97 - Headlines Histology2024_Neat

• They are touch receptors.
Non-encapsulated tactile corpuscle

• They are touch receptors found along the dermo-epidermal junction of the
skin.

• The free nerve endings become associated with epithelioid tactile cells
called Merkel cells scattered in the basal layers of the epidermis.

• The cytoplasm of the Merkel cells contains vesicles similar to those found
in synapses.

2. Encapsulated receptors

Encapsulated tactile corpuscles (Meissner’s corpuscles)

• They are oval in shape and are usually located in the dermal papillae.
• They consist of delicate connective tissue capsule surrounding a mass of

flattened, transversely arranged Schwann cells.
• The non-myelinated terminal branches of one or two large myelinated

axons ramify between the transverse cells.
Lamellar (Pacinian or Vater) corpuscles

• They are large encapsulated receptors (1-4 mm in length) found in the
subcutaneous tissue, ligaments, joint capsules, pancreas, mesenteries and
mammary glands.

• They consist of delicate connective tissue capsule surrounding about 30
concentric lamellae of flattened cells separated by interstitial fluid and c.t
fibers.

• The center lamellae densely packed around a single large non-myelinated
axon. They are sensitive to deep pressure or coarse touch.

End bulb of Krause (genital or bulbous) corpuscles

• They are mechanoreceptors found in the conjunctiva, lips, dermis, glans
penis and clitoris.

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