CUTANEOUS SENSITIVITIES

Skin senses are group of cutaneous sensitivities which enable us to experience

pressure, pain, cold, and warmth. Each of these experiences is produced by
different stimuli and is mediated by different sets of receptors. The surface of the
skin is not uniformly sensitive to stimulation. There are insensitive areas, and
sensitive areas have a degree of specialization.

RECEPTORS SENSITIVITY
Hairbulbs, Meissler and Merkel corpuscles Pressure
Free nerve endings Pain
Ruffini cylinders, free nerve ending Warmth
Krause end bulbes, free nerve ending Cold

Kinesthesis: Sense of Active Movement

Sensitivities arising from the structures involved in body movements are

referred to as kinesthetic sensitivities. The kinesthetic receptors are called
proprioceptors. Pacinian corpuscles and free nerve ending are found in the
ligaments of the joints and in the bone covering near these joints. Golgi spindles
are found in the tendons. Sensitive structures, known as muscle spindles, are in
the muscles themselves.

Any movement of muscles, tendons, or joints affects these kinesthetic

receptors. The sensory information flows to the brain making possible the skilled
coordination, of muscular movements. Thus, this sensation is also called “muscle
sense.”