Dermis 3 Flashcards
What are the types of receptors
Free nerve endings Tactile (merkel) discs Tactile (meissner) corpuscles Lamellar (pacinian) corpuscles Bulbus (ruffini) corpuscles
Describe free nerve endings
Can be un/myelinated.
Small swellings at distal end (receptors) that have receptors that function as cation channels.
What do free nerve endings mainly respond to
Temperature
Painful stimuli (myelinated initial sharp pain unmyelinated slower aching pain)
Itch (chemical - histamine)
Light touch receptors (peritrichial - around hair follicles)
Describe Tactile (Merkel) discs
Free nerve endings in deepest layer of epidermis.
Associated with large disc shaped (Merkel) cells
Very small receptive fields - abundant in fingertips
What do Tactile (Merkel) discs mainly respond to
Sensitive physical features; Texture, shape and edges
Fine touch and light pressure
Describe Tactile (Meissner) corpuscles
Papillary layers of dermis (hairless skin)
Modified Schwann cells (not myelin forming) surrounded by a thin fibrous connective tissue capsule - deformation triggers Na+ channels
What do Tactile (Meissner) corpuscles mainly respond to
Delicate ‘fine’ or discriminative touch - shape/textural changes
Light pressures
Low frequency vibrations (2-80 Hz)
Describe Lamellar (Pacinian) corpuscles
Deep in dermis and hypodermis
Single dendrite surrounded by concentric layers of collagen fibres and fibroblasts
Layers separated by gelatinous interstitial fluid
Deformation opens Na+ channels - rapidly adapting
What do Lamellar (Pacinian) corpuscles mainly respond to
Deep pressure (when first applied) Vibration - as rapidly adapting (250Hz optimal)
Describe Bulbous (Ruffini) corpuscles
Dermis and subcutaneous tissue
Network of nerve endings intertwined with core of collagen fibres (continuous with dermis) - capsule surrounds structure
What do Bulbous (Ruffini) corpuscles mainly respond to
Deep pressure and stretching or distortion points of the skin
Signals continuous states of deformation - heavy prolonged touch and pressure
Degree of joint rotation (Proprioception)
Finger nails - slippage/grip
How is blood flow controlled
Precapillary sphincter muscles around artery controlled by sympathetic nervous system
How does the sympathetic nervous system effect blood flow
Noradrenaline - GPCRs coupled to receptors (2nd messenger system) opens Ca+ channels and constricts blood vessels lowering blood flow to dermis layer of skin
What does changing blood flow do
Helps control thermoregulation and blood pressure
What are the forms of thermoregulation
Radiation
Conduction
Convection
Evaporation