A quantitative study of the mechanosensory innervation of the salmander skin.

We have investigated by physiological means the characteristics and organization of the mechanoreceptors in the skin of the salamander hind limb. A controlled mechanical stimulator with a tip diameter of a few microns was used to activate single mechanoreceptors, and afferent impulses were recorded from whole spinal nerves. 2. The mechanoreceptors of the skin are rapidly adapting. When random spots on the skin were tested, the stimulus strength …