A bridge corpuscle, also known as a corpuscle of Ruffini or Bulb-of-Krause, refers to a specialized type of sensory nerve ending located in the skin and connective tissues. More specifically, it is a sensory receptor primarily involved in detecting changes in temperature and mechanical pressure.
These corpuscles are named after Angelo Ruffini and Wilhelm Krause, the scientists who first discovered and extensively studied them. Bridge corpuscles are elongated structures composed of encapsulated nerve endings, which are wrapped in connective tissue. They are distributed throughout the skin, especially in hairy regions and areas where the skin is thinner, such as the fingertips.
The main function of bridge corpuscles is to perceive variations in temperature and mechanical pressure. They are particularly sensitive to heat and stretching of the skin, allowing them to respond to delicate touch and temperature changes. When the skin is stimulated, these corpuscles generate electrical impulses that are transmitted to the brain through sensory neurons, enabling the perception of tactile and thermal sensations.
Due to their responsiveness to temperature and mechanical pressure, bridge corpuscles play an essential role in numerous bodily functions, including tactile discrimination, maintaining body temperature, and providing information about the physical environment. Understanding the structure and behavior of bridge corpuscles is crucial in fields such as neurophysiology, anatomy, and sensory perception.
