Glabrous

Definition

Glabrous skin is skin that is hairless and typically found on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and lips. It contains a high density of sensory receptors for detecting fine touch and pressure stimuli.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Glabrous skin contains Meissner's corpuscles, which are responsible for detecting light touch.
2. It has a higher concentration of sweat glands compared to hairy skin.
3. Merkel cells in glabrous skin are essential for sensing texture and shape.
4. Glabrous skin is more sensitive to temperature changes due to its dense innervation.
5. The absence of hair allows for more precise tactile feedback in glabrous skin areas.

Review Questions

• What types of sensory receptors are predominantly found in glabrous skin?
• How does glabrous skin differ from hairy skin in terms of sensory function?
• Why is glabrous skin more sensitive to fine touch than other types of skin?

Related terms

Meissner's Corpuscle: Specialized nerve endings found in glabrous skin that detect light touch.

Merkel Cell: Sensory cells in the epidermis that play a key role in the sensation of texture and shape.

Somatosensation: The process by which sensory receptors in the skin and other tissues provide information about touch, temperature, pain, and body position.