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

Why are we unable to feel changes in our blood pressure?

1. We lack nerve endings in blood vessels

2. We don't have Pacinian (lamellated) corpuscles in our blood vessels

3. Blood pressure changes too quickly to detect

4. Pressure is not a sensation we perceive

The correct answer is: We don't have Pacinian (lamellated) corpuscles in our blood vessels

The correct answer is rooted in the specialized nature of our sensory receptors and how our body interprets various stimuli. While it is true that our blood vessels do not possess Pacinian (lamellated) corpuscles, which are responsible for sensing deep pressure and vibration, the key understanding lies in the concept of sensation and perception. In the context of blood pressure, it is important to note that our bodies do not typically interpret changes in blood pressure as a sensation in the way we perceive touch, temperature, or pain. Although blood vessels are equipped with various types of receptors that can respond to changes in pressure—like baroreceptors—these are not necessarily the same as the Pacinian corpuscles. The blood pressure within our vessels can be influenced by numerous factors, but our body’s central nervous system is primarily focused on more acute sensory information, which is why changes in blood pressure do not typically manifest as a recognizable sensation to us. Thus, while our bodies have the capability to monitor blood pressure through internal mechanisms, the absence of specific types of pain or pressure receptors in blood vessels, like Pacinian corpuscles, means we do not feel these changes in the same way we might feel other more direct physical pressures or sensations.