Sensory Receptors

Definition of Sensory Receptors:

Receptors are specialized cells / nerve endings which respond to stimuli. These generate impulses which inform CNS about changes in internal & external environment. Receptors are transducers, which convert various forms of energy into action potential or electrical energy. STIMULUS: A change in environment. TYPES OF STIMULUS: Electrical, Mechanical, Thermal, Chemical & Electromagnetic. Sensation: Becoming aware of a particular type of stimulus, e.g., tactile, thermal &

Non-encapsulated & encapsulated receptors:

Non-encapsulated: free nerve endings / nociceptors, Merkels discs, hair follicle receptors. Encapsulated: Meissners corpuscles, Pacinian corpuscles, Ruffinis end organs, Krauses corpuscles.

Non-encapsulated:
FREE NERVE ENDINGS: Widely distributed. In epidermis, mucus membranes, joint ligaments, tendons, connective tissue, periosteum, peritoneum, pleural membrane, meninges, dental pulp. Involved in crude touch, pressure, tickle & itch, pain & temperature sensation.

Non-encapsulated:
MERKELS DISCS: Present in clusters / groups in epidermis (deeper part). Stimulated when there is continuous touch or pressure. Example: holding a pen while writing.

Non-encapsulated:

HAIR FOLLICLE RECEPTORS: Wrapped around hair follicles. Stimulated by bending of hair (if something is crawling on skin).

HAIR FOLLICLE

Adaptation in nonencapsulated receptors:

Free nerve endings & merkels discs slow adaptation. We feel the pen as long as we hold it. Hair follicle receptors undergo rapid adaptation. Insect starts crawling we feel it if it does not bite we forget its presence.

Encapsulated:

MEISSNERS CORPUSCLES: Meissner's corpuscles were discovered by the anatomist Georg Meissner (18291905). Rapid adaptation. In dermal capillaries in skin of soul & palm Nipple & external genitalia. Under the capsule are flat modified schwann cells arranged concentically along long axis of corpuscles & end in expanded nerve endings. Involved in: fine touch, 2 point tactile discrimination & vibration.

MEISSNERS CORPUSCLE IN SKIN

Encapsulated:

PACINIAN CORPUSCLE: Rapid adaptation. In dermis of skin, C.T, ligaments, joint corpuscles, peritoneum etc. Thick corpuscles, on section onion like appearance. Flattened cells arranged concentrically (in layers) Involved in vibration & movement.

PACINIAN CORPUSCLE

Encapsulated:

RUFFINIS END ORGANS: In dermis of skin. Respond when skin is stretched / heavy pressure applied on skin. Slow adaptation.

RUFFINIS END ORGANS

Encapsulated:

KRAUSES CORPUSCLES: In the skin of external genitalia. Respond to 2 point tactile discrimination. Rapid adaptation. Structure resembles Meissners corpuscles.

KRAUSES END-BULBS / KRAUSES CORPUSCLES

OTHER CLASSIFICATION OF RECEPTORS:

4 TYPES: EXTEROCEPTORS: INTEROCEPTORS TELOCEPTORS PROPRIOCEPTORS

EXTEROCEPTORS:

In skin Respond to external stimuli.

INTEROCEPTORS:

In body tissues. Respond to internal stimuli.

TELOCEPTORS:

Respond to stimuli at a distance. EXAMPLE: Receptors in retina: rods & cones. Hearing receptors in ears.

PROPRIOCEPTORS:

Receptors involved in sensation of position & movement. When a part of body is moved, they are stimulated.

Classification on the basis of nature of stimulus:

5 types: MECHANORECEPTORS. THERMORECEPTORS. NOCICEPTORS. CHEMORECEPTORS. ELECTRO-MAGNETIC RECEPTORS.

MECHANORECEPTORS:

Respond to mechanical deformation of receptor membrane & of tissue, adjacent to receptor. Large number of receptors are included. EXAMPLES: Free nerve endings, Merkels disks, hair follicles, Meissners, Ruffinis, Krauses corpuscles, muscle spindle, golgi tendon organs, receptors in internal ear: in organ of corti, in semi-circular canals, in macula & vestibular apparatus. Baroreceptors are also included.

THERMORECEPTORS:

Respond to temperature changes. Include cold & warmth receptors.

NOCICEPTORS:

Respond to noxious stimuli. Receptors which detect tissue damage. Nociceptors are free nerve endings.

CHEMORECEPTORS:

Respond to chemical changes. Include chemoreceptors in carotid & aortic bodies, chemosensitive area in medulla oblongata, olfactory receptors, taste receptors, osmoreceptors in hypothalamus & glucostat cells in satiety centre in hypothalamus.

ELECTROMAGNETIC RECEPTORS:

Respond to electromagnetic rays. EXAMPLE: Rods & Cones in Retina.