Pacinian corpuscles transmit which sensation
**Core Concept**
Pacinian corpuscles are a type of mechanoreceptor found in the skin, responsible for detecting mechanical stimuli such as pressure, vibration, and stretching. They are rapidly adapting receptors, meaning they respond to changes in stimuli but not to sustained stimuli.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Pacinian corpuscles transmit pressure and vibration sensations due to their unique structure. They consist of concentric layers of lamellae that are richly innervated by nerve fibers. When a mechanical stimulus is applied, the lamellae collapse, and the nerve fibers are depolarized, generating an action potential. This rapid adaptation allows Pacinian corpuscles to detect changes in pressure and vibration but not sustained pressure.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because Pacinian corpuscles are not responsible for detecting touch or temperature sensations. Those sensations are mediated by other types of receptors, such as Meissner's corpuscles and Ruffini's corpuscles.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because Pacinian corpuscles are not responsible for detecting pain sensations. Pain is mediated by nociceptors, which are a different type of receptor.
**Option C:** This option is incorrect because Pacinian corpuscles are not responsible for detecting proprioception (position and movement sense). Proprioception is mediated by proprioceptors in muscles, tendons, and joints.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Pacinian corpuscles are rapidly adapting receptors, meaning they respond to changes in stimuli but not to sustained stimuli. This is why you can feel the vibration of a cell phone but not the sustained pressure of it on your skin.
**Correct Answer: B. Pressure and vibration**