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Related Concept Videos

Somatosensation01:33

Somatosensation

The somatosensory system relays sensory information from the skin, mucous membranes, limbs, and joints. Somatosensation is more familiarly known as the sense of touch. A typical somatosensory pathway includes three types of long neurons: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Primary neurons have cell bodies located near the spinal cord in groups of neurons called dorsal root ganglia. The sensory neurons of ganglia innervate designated areas of skin called dermatomes.
Sensory Functions of the Skin01:16

Sensory Functions of the Skin

The skin is the largest organ of the human body and plays a crucial role in our sensory perception. It contains a vast network of sensory receptors that contribute to the skin's protective function by perceiving physical, biological, and environmental cues and generating relevant responses.
There are two main categories of receptors on the skin: capsulated and non-capsulated. The non-capsulated ones are mainly the pain receptors. The capsulated ones can be further categorized based on the...
Tactile and Chemical Senses01:27

Tactile and Chemical Senses

Tactile senses encompass touch, temperature, and pain, each mediated by specific receptors. Touch receptors detect mechanical energy or pressure against the skin. Sensory fibers from these receptors enter the spinal cord and relay information to the brain stem. Here, most fibers cross over to the opposite side of the brain. The touch information then moves to the thalamus, which projects a map of the body's surface onto the somatosensory areas of the parietal lobes in the cerebral cortex. This...
Transducer Mechanism: G Protein–Coupled Receptors01:30

Transducer Mechanism: G Protein–Coupled Receptors

G Protein–Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) are membrane-bound receptors that transiently associate with heterotrimeric G proteins and induce an appropriate response to various stimuli. GPCRs regulate critical physiological pathways and are excellent drug targets for treating diseases such as diabetes, cancer, obesity, depression, or Alzheimer's. Nearly 35% of approved drugs implement their therapeutic effects by selectively interacting with specific GPCRs.
GPCRs are also called heptahelical, 7TM, or...
Mechanically-gated Ion Channels01:12

Mechanically-gated Ion Channels

Mechanically-gated ion channels are proteins found in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell membranes that open in response to mechanical stress. Tension, compression, swelling, and shear stress can alter the conformation of the protein, opening a transmembrane channel that allows the passage of ions for signal transmission. In eukaryotes, mechanically-gated channels are distributed in several regions like the neurons, lungs, skin, bladder, and heart, where they play critical roles in numerous...
Introduction to Sensory Receptors01:31

Introduction to Sensory Receptors

Sensory receptors are vital in our ability to perceive and interpret the world. Sensory receptors are specialized cells in the peripheral nervous system that respond to various stimuli and enable one to experience different sensations. Based on specific criteria, sensory receptors are classified into distinct types.
The first classification criterion is based on cell type, position, and function. Some receptor cells are neurons with free nerve endings, where their dendrites are embedded in the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Intravital Two-Photon Imaging of Touch Sensory Axon Morphology in Mouse Skin
07:51

Intravital Two-Photon Imaging of Touch Sensory Axon Morphology in Mouse Skin

Published on: December 30, 2025

RETouching upon mechanoreceptors.

Qiufu Ma1

  • 1Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 1 Jimmy Fund Way, Boston, MA 02115, USA. qiufu_ma@dfci.harvard.edu

Neuron
|January 13, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Early-born Ret+ sensory neurons develop into rapidly adapting (RA) mechanoreceptors, crucial for sensing touch and vibration. Ret signaling plays a vital role in the development of these essential sensory neurons.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Sensory Biology

Background:

  • Rapidly adapting (RA) low-threshold mechanoreceptors are vital for tactile perception, responding to skin movement and vibration.
  • These receptors are essential for discerning texture and shape, contributing significantly to sensory feedback.

Discussion:

  • Two studies reveal that early-born Ret-expressing (Ret+) sensory neurons differentiate into RA mechanoreceptors.
  • These neurons innervate specific mechanosensory end organs, including Meissner corpuscles, longitudinal lanceolate endings, and Pacinian corpuscles.

Key Insights:

  • Ret signaling is indispensable for the proper development and formation of RA mechanoreceptors.
  • The findings elucidate a critical molecular pathway governing the specification of touch sensory neurons.

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In vitro Functional Characterization of Mouse Colorectal Afferent Endings

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Last Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Intravital Two-Photon Imaging of Touch Sensory Axon Morphology in Mouse Skin
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Intravital Two-Photon Imaging of Touch Sensory Axon Morphology in Mouse Skin

Published on: December 30, 2025

Combined Recording of Mechanically Stimulated Afferent Output and Nerve Terminal Labelling in Mouse Hair Follicle Lanceolate Endings
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Outlook:

  • Further research can explore the downstream targets of Ret signaling in RA mechanoreceptor development.
  • Understanding this pathway may offer insights into sensory neuropathies and regenerative strategies.