Sensory Functions of the Skin

The skin has several exteroceptors to detect external stimuli such as the blowing wind, changing temperature, or pain.

Upon detecting the stimuli, the receptors initiate a nerve impulse that travels to the brain to generate an appropriate response. These cutaneous receptors can be either non-encapsulated or encapsulated nerve endings.

For instance, the hair follicle receptors in the dermis relay the presence of a crawling insect because of hair movement. If the insect bites, the damage to the epidermis excites the pain-sensing nociceptors.

Located in the basal epidermis, the non-encapsulated Merkel discs transmit information about the texture and shape of an object held.

The encapsulated Meissner's corpuscles in the dermal papillae respond to light touch generating the nerve impulse.

Lower into the dermis, the encapsulated Ruffini endings perceive warmth and detect skin stretching.

The Pacinian corpuscles, located deeper into the dermis, efficiently transduce information about a deep touch and vibration.