Sensory Innervation of the Hairless and Hairy Skin in Mammals including Humans

Halata, Zdeněk

doi:10.1007/978-1-4613-0579-8_2

Cited by 11 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…For example, the dermal-epidermal junction of many mammalian skin surfaces is composed of a series of dermal protrusions into epidermis (dermal papillae) and complementary epidermal extensions or evaginations into the dermis (rete ridges). Rete ridges are continuous long evaginations of the basal epidermis that run tangent to the skin surface, as for example in the ridged skin of primates [Halata, 1990]. But many mammals also exhibit rete pegs, or circular evaginations of epidermis into the dermis (particularly at the rhinarium) and these resemble the structure at the base of an Eimer's organ -although rete pegs are considerably larger.…”

Section: Eimer's Organ Definedmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…But many mammals also exhibit rete pegs, or circular evaginations of epidermis into the dermis (particularly at the rhinarium) and these resemble the structure at the base of an Eimer's organ -although rete pegs are considerably larger. In either case, Merkel cell-neurite complexes are generally concentrated in the basal epidermal layer of the epidermal evagination [Halata, 1990]. In addition, free nerve endings often enter the epidermis above the Merkel cells and can form terminal swellings similar in many respects to those found at the apex of Eimer's organ [Quilliam, 1980].…”

Section: Eimer's Organ Definedmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…16, right side) to the much larger innervated 'rete pegs' of the opossum snout ( fig. 16, left side) to the ridged skin surface of the primate hand [Halata, 1990]. Of these three examples, only the domed organs of the star-nosed mole have all the characteristics of Eimer's organ [Eimer, 1871].…”

Section: Eimer's Organ Definedmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Epidermal Sensory Organs of Moles, Shrew Moles, and Desmans: A Study of the Family Talpidae with Comments on the Function and Evolution of Eimer’s Organ

Catania¹

2000

Brain Behav Evol

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The epidermal sensory organs of members of the family Talpidae (moles, shrew-moles, and desmans) were investigated and compared to determine the range of sensory specializations and better understand how they evolved. Small domed mechanosensory organs called ‘Eimer’s organs’ were present on the rhinarium of nearly all species of talpids, but not among the sister group of shrews (Soricidae) or other insectivore families. This suggests that the common ancestor to the talpids possessed Eimer’s organs. Two species of moles from the driest habitats did not exhibit Eimer’s organs – suggesting that their sensory organs degenerated in response to harsh, abrasive soil conditions. The semi-aquatic desmans uniquely possessed tiny sensory hairs interspersed with their Eimer’s organs; these may act to sense water currents. Some species exhibited a subdivided, star-like, rhinarium – resembling an early embryonic stage of the star-nosed mole and providing clues to the evolution of the star. A single genera (Uropsilus) that branched off early in the evolution of the talpids had Eimer’s organ-like structures but lacked some typical components. These findings fill a major gap in our knowledge of talpid sensory biology and suggest (1) how Eimer’s organs evolved, (2) how the unusual appendages of the star-nosed mole evolved, (3) that the evolution of Eimer’s organ is convergent with the mechanosensory push-rod of monotremes. The results also demonstrate the features that distinguish Eimer’s organ from similar configurations of sensory receptors in other mammalian skin surfaces. Finally, a mechanism for Eimer’s organ function in detecting object and prey specific surface features is proposed.

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Section: Eimer's Organ Definedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Eimer's Organ Definedmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Epidermal Sensory Organs of Moles, Shrew Moles, and Desmans: A Study of the Family Talpidae with Comments on the Function and Evolution of Eimer’s Organ

Catania¹

2000

Brain Behav Evol

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“…Halata described individual dermal Merkel cells in the newborn cat (Halata 1981) and in adult human dermis (Halata 1990). Breathnach and Robins (1970) and Hashimoto (1972) found Merkel cells in both the dermis and epidermis of human fetal skin.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Developmental origin of avian Merkel cells

Grim¹,

Halata²

2000

Anatomy and Embryology

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We have investigated the developmental origin and ultrastructure of avian Merkel cells by electron microscopy and chick/quail transplantation experiments. On embryonic day 3, chick leg primordia were homotopically grafted onto Japanese quail host embryo. Fourteen days later, quail cells that had migrated into grafted chick legs were identified according to the masses of heterochromatin associated with the nucleolus that are characteristic for quail. Both in chick and quail, Merkel cells are usually located in the dermis just below the epidermis. They are placed between nerve terminals either individually or in small groups wrapped in sheaths that are formed by glial cell processes. Occasionally, some Merkel cells appear in nerve fascicles and within Herbst corpuscles. Merkel cells, as well as glial cells, in grafted chicken legs were of quail origin. This finding provides evidence against the epidermal origin of avian Merkel cells and indicates that Merkel cells are derived from neural crest cells that colonise, together with glial cells and melanocytes, the developing limb primordium.

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“…Four types of mechanoreceptors are found in the mammalian glabrous skin: Meissner corpuscles, Merkel's discs, Pacinian corpuscles and Ruffini endings (Gardner and Johnson, 2012;Greenspan and Bolanowski, 1996;Halata, 1990;Willis and Coggeshall, 2004). In the hairy skin, there are touch domes, Pacinian corpuscles, Ruffini endings, afferents associated with hairs, field units, and C-mechanoreceptive fibers (Halata, 1990;Lechner and Lewin, 2013;Lumpkin et al, 2010;Willis and Coggeshall, 2004). Mechanoreceptive fibers are classified according to their innervation densities, receptive-field sizes, adequate stimuli (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%