What is a Meissner corpuscle?

What is a Meissner corpuscle?

Meissner corpuscles, also known as Wagner-Meissner corpuscles or tactile corpuscles, are a subset of mechanoreceptors first described by Professor Georg Meissner and Professor Rudolf Wagner in 1852. Located in the dermal papillae of glabrous skin, these specialized encapsulated nerve endings relay f …

What is the role of Meissner corpuscles in neuropathy?

Meissner corpuscles play an essential role in somatosensory acuity, especially in the digital extremities and palmar skin, meriting clinical significance for peripheral and diabetic neuropathy as well as age-related degeneration of dermatological tactile sensation.

What is the sensitivity of Meissner’s corpuscles?

Meissner’s corpuscles have the lowest sensitivity threshold of any type of mechanoreceptor; they can sense vibrations with frequencies as low as 10 Hertz. The location of Meissner’s corpuscles is closely related with their function.

What happens to Meissner’s corpuscles as a person ages?

As a person ages, the function of the Meissner’s corpuscles tends to decrease. The action potentials generated when a corpuscle is stimulated by a light touch become less powerful.