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Definition

noun

A single sensory nerve ending characterized by a terminal cuplike, expanded tip that is in contact with the base of a single specialized epithelial cell in the epidermis. It functions by receiving touch, pressure, and texture, and relaying the information to the brain.

Supplement

This nerve ending is a mechanoreceptor found in the skin and mucosa of the vertebrates and in the dermis of birds.

Synonym(s):

• Merkel nerve ending
• tactile meniscus
• meniscus tactus
• Merkel's tactile disk
• tactile disk
• Merkel cell-neurite complex
• Merkel disk receptor

See also:

• Merkel's tactile cell