How the Body Works: The Sensory Cortex and Touch

The sensory cortex, as represented in red, behind the central groove of the brain, is the primary area for the interpretation of incoming sensory information. The association area coordinates this information. The sense of touch involves the stimulation of receptors in the skin. The most superficial receptors are found in the epidermis. They are the free nerve endings, which respond to touch and pain; Merkel's disks, which respond to continuous touch; and the end bulbs of Krause, the receptors that probably register cold. Below the epidermis is the dermis. In the dermis are Meissner's corpuscles, which send information to the brain about the texture of the object that is being touched; nerve endings around the bases of the hair follicles, which are stimulated by movement of the hair; Pacinian corpuscles, which respond to pressure; and Ruffini corpuscles, which respond to changes in temperature.