ABSTRACT
Background: Meissner’s corpuscle is the most complex sensory receptors of the skin; providing information about rapidly fluctuating mechanical forces acting on the hairless skin. Aim of current study was to study density and structural changes in human Meissner’s corpuscles at different ages Methods: Samples were obtained from finger tips of fifteen persons and divided into three groups according to age: group A <15years; group B: 16-45 years and group C: 46-72 years. 5 μm thick sections were prepared, impregnated with silver and observed under compound light microscope. Density of Meissner’s corpuscles (Mcs) was studied by calculating Meissner’s Index (MI). Results: In group A, the MI was 0.86-0.90, which increased to 0.96 in group B and dropped in group C to 0.4 (in the seventh decade). The analysis of variance showed significant difference (P = 0.019) in MIs of the three age groups. The size of the Mcs was largest in group B, followed by group C and smallest in group A. The analysis of variance showed that there was highly significant difference (P = 0.003) between the size of Mcs in all the three age groups. It was observed that morphology of Mcs alter with age. In children these consisted of rudimentary coil of nerve fibers around collection of cells. In adults the intra-corpuscular nerve fibers were compressed into a tight spiral and modifications of nerve fibers, like end bulbs, varicosities and networks, were well developed. In old age Mcs were attenuated consisting of tangled mass of nerve fibers. Conclusion: It can be concluded that in adults the Mcs are greater in number, larger in size and complicated in structure, compared to young and old people.
ABSTRACT
Background: Human glabrous skin has very rich nerve supply in the form of specialized nerve endings like Meissner’s corpuscles, Pacinian corpuscles, Krause end bulbs etc for carrying sensory information to brain. Aim of study: To study the structure, pattern of innervations and nerve terminations of human Meissner’s corpuscle. Methods: Skin samples from sixty human beings (age range 2 to 72 years) were taken, sections prepared and stained with a cytological (Haematoxylin – Eosin and Vongieson’s stains) and a neural stain (Silver Impregnation). Results: With cytological stain, Meissner’s corpuscles were seen in dermal papillae of glabrous skin, each consisting of a cellular structure having a peripheral capsule and central core of transversely arranged cells. With neural stain, each corpuscle was seen to be oval, globular or cylindrical structure, having a capsule surrounding the core of spirally arranged nerve fibers, sandwiched by Schwann cells. In between nerve fibers of the core were seen small bundles of collagen fibers. 2-6 nerve fibers innervated each Mc from the sub corial plexus of nerves and formed various patterns of nerve endings like networks, end bulbs and varicosities inside the Meissner’s corpuscle. Conclusion: Meissner’s corpuscle is a complex structure composed of capsule - consisting of spindle shaped capsular cells interspersed in collagen fibers, surrounding a core of helically arranged nerve fibers, Schwann cells and collagen fibers.
ABSTRACT
Objective To observe Meissner's corpuscles in prepuces of different shapes and ages. Methods The Meissner's corpuscles were detected with immunohistochemical stain in 204 prepuce sam- ples of different shapes and ages (3-59 years),and the density of Meissner's corpuscles in every sample was obtained as well.The difference of Meissner's corpuscle densities between phimosis and redundant pre- puce,and correlation between Meissner's corpuscle densities and ages were analyzed with Chi-square test and linear regression,respectively.Results The density of Meissner's corpuscles in redundant prepuce has begun to increase since infancy and reached the peak at the age about 15 years.No significant difference in densities of Meissner's corpuscles between phimosis and redundant prepuce was observed till the age of 20 years,and then there was a trend of disappearance of Meissner's corpuscles in redundant prepuce.A signifi- cantly negative correlation between the densities of Meissner's corpuscles and ages was revealed in redundant prepuce (r=-0.236,P=0.009),whereas an insignificantly positive correlation between the densities of Meissner's corpuscles and ages was shown in phimosis (r=0.193,P=0.084).Conclusions The den- sities of Meissner's corpuscles in redundant prepuce develop synchronically with genital differentiation and accord with the status of sexual function in adult males.The persistent high level of Meissner's corpuscles in adult phimosis might be a mechanism of physiological compensation.