Elsevier

Brain Research

Volume 628, Issues 1–2, 19 November 1993, Pages 301-304
Brain Research

A system of unmyelinated afferents for innocuous mechanoreception in the human skin

https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-8993(93)90968-SGet rights and content

Abstract

It is generally held that tactile mechanisms in the human skin are served by fast-conducting myelinated nerve fibres, whereas touch-sensitive afferent with unmyelinated axons are lacking in man, in contrast to other mammals. In the present study we found evidence that sensitive mechanoreceptive afferents with unmyelinated fibres are quite common and widespread in the hairy skin of human subjects. Their biological role remains an enigma which might attract more attention now that their existence in man has been demonstrated.

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This work was supported by the Swedish Medical Research council (projects No. 2857 and 3548) and Torsten and Ragnar So¨derberg's foundation.

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We thank Mr. Sven-O¨jvind Swahn for technical assistance.

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