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How do Merkel endings respond to pressure on the skin?
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Mechanoreception
In human skin, specialized nerve endings known as Meissner's corpuscles (or tactile corpuscles) are sensitive to touch. They are one of several different types of mechanoreceptors found in human skin.
Merkel endings are specialized mechanoreceptors located in the basal layer of the epidermis that respond to touch pressure on the skin.12
Functionally, these receptors are classified as "slowly adapting," meaning they continue to fire in response to a sustained stimulus rather than just the initial onset of pressure. Along with Ruffini endings, they are specifically identified as the primary receptors responsible for monitoring touch pressure, distinguishing them from other receptors that respond to superficial light touch or rapid vibrations.12