Sensory organ for responding to texture is:September 2009
**Core Concept**
The question tests the ability to identify the sensory organ responsible for perceiving texture, which is a critical aspect of haptic perception. Texture is a physical property of an object that can be perceived through touch.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer is the **Meissner's corpuscle**, a type of mechanoreceptor found in the dermal papillae of the skin. Meissner's corpuscles are responsible for detecting light touch and changes in texture, allowing us to perceive the shape and surface characteristics of objects. They are sensitive to the pressure and deformation of the skin, which enables us to feel different textures. The activation of Meissner's corpuscles triggers a signal that is transmitted to the brain via the dorsal column-medial lemniscus pathway.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because **Pacinian corpuscles**, also known as lamellated corpuscles, are responsible for detecting pressure and vibration, not texture.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because **Ruffini's corpuscles**, also known as flower-shaped corpuscles, are responsible for detecting sustained pressure and skin stretch, not texture.
**Option C:** This option is incorrect because **Hair follicle receptors** are responsible for detecting movement and pressure, not texture.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Meissner's corpuscles are sensitive to texture changes, but their sensitivity decreases with age, which is why older individuals may have difficulty perceiving subtle textures.
**Correct Answer:** A. Meissner's corpuscle