Merkel's disc A touch receptor, occurring in the outer layer (epidermis) of hairless skin, that responds to sustained pressure. Named after German anatomist Friedrich S. Merkel (1845–1919), these discs are found in large numbers in the fingertips, where they are important in discriminating textures and shapes. Each consists of a sensory Merkel cell and associated sensory nerve ending, which conveys impulses to a sensory nerve.
How to cite this entry: "Merkel's disc" A Dictionary of Biology. Elizabeth Martin and Robert Hine. Oxford University Press, 2008. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. 24 February 2012
