Pacinian Corpuscles

Question 1

Describe the structure of pacinian corpuscles in skin.

Answer 1

• found at the end of sensory neurones
• many layers of connective tissue called lamellae

Question 2

How do pacinian corpuscles work?

Answer 2

• mechanical pressure applied on the skin stimulates pacinian corpuscles
• layers of lamallae become deformed
• pressure against the sensory nerve ending causes the axon membrane to stretch
• this opens stretch mediated Na+ channels
• Na+ diffuses in creating a generator potential
• if the threshold is reached, an action potential is produced