Mechanoreceptor

A sensory receptor in the skin that responds to mechanical pressure or distortion, enabling the sense of touch. Different types of mechanoreceptors detect various tactile qualities: Meissner corpuscles sense light touch and low-frequency vibration (10-65 Hz), Pacinian corpuscles detect high-frequency vibration and deep pressure, Merkel discs perceive sustained pressure and texture, and Ruffini endings respond to skin stretch. Understanding mechanoreceptor function is essential for designing effective haptic feedback in assistive technology, as different vibration frequencies and intensities stimulate different receptor types. Fingertips have the highest concentration of mechanoreceptors, making them highly sensitive to tactile input.