What are the specialized receptors in the skin that detect touch called?

Meissner's corpuscles are specialized receptors in the skin specifically designed to detect light touch and changes in texture. These oval structures are located just beneath the epidermis, primarily in areas requiring acute sensitivity, such as the fingertips and lips. They are particularly effective at responding to light, tactile stimuli, and are sensitive to low-frequency vibrations.

The presence of these receptors allows the nervous system to interpret and relay information concerning touch to the brain, contributing to our sense of touch and enhancing our ability to interact with our environment. This functional specificity distinguishes them from other types of receptors in the skin, such as Pacinian corpuscles, which are more involved in sensing deep pressure and vibration, Ruffini endings that detect skin stretch and sustained pressure, and free nerve endings that are primarily responsible for detecting pain and temperature.