What Sensory Structures are Present in the Dermis?
The dermis houses various sensory receptors that contribute to the sense of touch, pressure, pain, and temperature. These include:
Meissner's Corpuscles: Located in the papillary dermis, these receptors are sensitive to light touch and vibration. Pacinian Corpuscles: Found in the deeper dermis and subcutaneous tissue, these receptors detect deep pressure and vibration. Ruffini Endings: Present in the reticular dermis, these receptors respond to skin stretch and sustained pressure. Free Nerve Endings: These unmyelinated nerve fibers detect pain, temperature, and mechanical stimuli.
