Britannica
Sources used in this answer
What role do Meissner corpuscles play in touch sensation?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
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.
In the context of human mechanoreception, Meissner corpuscles function as specialized sensory receptors located in the skin that are responsible for detecting superficial light touch.12
These receptors are classified as "rapidly adapting" mechanoreceptors, meaning they respond effectively to the onset and offset of mechanical stimuli rather than sustained pressure. Along with free nerve endings and hair follicle receptors, they are essential for the sensory perception of light contact on the skin's surface.12