TACTILE CELL Meaning and
Definition
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A tactile cell, also referred to as a touch receptor, is a specialized cell type found in the skin and other parts of the body that enables the perception of touch sensations. These cells are responsible for transducing mechanical stimuli, such as pressure, vibration, and stretch, into electrical signals that can be interpreted by the brain.
Tactile cells are primarily found within the dermis, the middle layer of the skin, but they are also present in various other tissues, including the tongue, lips, and genitals. They are characterized by their elongated shape and have distinct nerve endings that allow them to sense different types of tactile stimuli.
The primary function of tactile cells is to transmit information about the external environment to the nervous system, contributing to our sense of touch. When these cells are stimulated by mechanical pressure or deformation, they generate electrical signals that are propagated along sensory nerve fibers to the brain. The brain then processes these signals, allowing us to perceive various tactile sensations, such as texture, pressure, temperature, and pain.
Tactile cells play a crucial role in our everyday interactions with the world around us. They allow us to explore and interact with objects, detect subtle changes in our environment, and experience the pleasurably touch of others. Without tactile cells, our sense of touch would be severely impaired, making it challenging to navigate our surroundings and engage in social and sensory experiences.
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One of the cells, either single or compound, in which a sensory nerve-fibril terminates.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for TACTILE CELL
Etymology of TACTILE CELL
The word "tactile" comes from the Latin word "tactus", which means "the sense of touch". It is derived from the verb "tangere", meaning "to touch".
The word "cell" in this context refers to a specialized type of sensory receptor cell that is responsible for detecting touch sensations. The term "cell" is derived from the Latin word "cella", meaning "small room" or "chamber". In the case of tactile cells, it refers to the small specialized structures found in the skin and other parts of the body that facilitate the sensation of touch.
