College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) Practice Exam

Meissner corpuscles are specifically responsible for which type of sensation?

1. Deep pressure and pain

2. Fine, discriminative touch and vibration

3. Temperature and coarse touch

4. Pressure and itching sensations

The correct answer is: Fine, discriminative touch and vibration

Meissner corpuscles are specialized mechanoreceptors located primarily in the dermal papillae of the skin. They are particularly sensitive to light touch and are crucial for detecting fine, discriminative touch and low-frequency vibration. When skin is lightly brushed or tapped, Meissner corpuscles are activated, allowing the nervous system to interpret these sensations precisely. This capability is essential for tasks requiring fine motor skills, such as reading Braille or feeling the texture of objects. Their location near the surface of the skin makes them adept at picking up on subtle changes, which is particularly important in environments where tactile feedback is vital for interaction with surrounding objects. In contrast, the other options relate to sensations that are activated by different types of receptors. For instance, deep pressure and pain are more closely associated with other mechanoreceptors like Pacinian corpuscles and nociceptors. Temperature and coarse touch are detected by free nerve endings and other types of receptors dispersed throughout the skin. Similarly, pressure and itching sensations derive from different pathways and receptor types, highlighting the specificity of Meissner corpuscles for fine touch and vibration.