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

What type of sensory receptors are Pascinian corpuscles associated with?

1. Temperature sensitivity

2. Vibration and deep pressure

3. Light touch only

4. Proprioception primarily

The correct answer is: Vibration and deep pressure

Pacinian corpuscles are specialized sensory receptors that are highly sensitive to vibrations and deep pressure. They are located in the deeper layers of the dermis and in various tissues throughout the body, such as the joints, ligaments, and serous membranes. The structure of Pacinian corpuscles allows them to respond quickly to rapid changes in pressure and vibration due to their onion-like layering, which effectively filters out slower stimuli. This characteristic makes them particularly important for detecting dynamic sensations, such as the vibration that occurs during activities like typing or using tools, as well as the deep pressure encountered when gripping or holding an object tightly. The other options refer to different types of sensory receptors; for instance, temperature sensitivity is primarily associated with thermoreceptors, light touch is primarily detected by Meissner's corpuscles, and proprioception is related to receptors located in muscles and tendons. Thus, the association of Pacinian corpuscles with vibration and deep pressure is accurate and highlights their role in providing the nervous system with crucial information about the mechanical properties of the environment.