THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE SLOWLY ADAPTING TYPE II MECHANORECEPTOR IN HAIRY SKIN

摘要: The slowly adapting type II mechanoreceptor in hairy skin of the cat was studied detail using histological and neurophysiological methods. end organ (Ruffini ending) lightly encapsulated, situated dermis supplied by one axon which bifurcated within capsule to form a terminal arborisation. A serial diagrammatic reconstruction made ending. afferent units almost invariably carried resting discharge responded vertical displacement over an area 2·5 sq. cm directional stretching up 25 cm. For each unit there single small region maximum sensitivity (less than 2 mm). response consisted dynamic static phase, linked period adaptation. These three phases were subjected quantitative tests, displacements different amplitude, velocity duration. directionally sensitive stretch this similar pattern that caused displacement. temperature range from 14°–42°C increased fall temporarily silenced increase.