Quantitative and qualitative changes in human Meissner’s corpuscle at different ages: a light microscopic analysis
Keywords:
Glabrous skin, Meissner’s corpuscle, Meissner’s index, Age changesAbstract
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.
References
Bhat GM, Bhat MA, Kour K, Shah BA. Density and structural variations of Meissners corpuscle at different sites in human glabrous skin. J Anat Soc India. 2008;57(1):30-3.
Bhat GM, Shah BA, Itoo MS, Shahdad S, Shah NA. Pattern of sensory innervation of human glabrous skin. Kashmir Med J. 2010;4(4):646-9.
Johansson RS, Vallbo AB. Tactile sensibility in the human hand: relative & absolute densities of four types of mechanoreceptive units in glabrous skin. J Physiol. 1979;286:283-300.
Johansson, Fantini F. Neuronal structural proteins, transmitter enzymes & neuropeptides in human Meissner's corpuscles: a reappraisal using immunohistochemistry. Arch Dermatol Res. 1999;291:419-24.
Cauna N. Nerve supply and nerve endings in Meissner's corpuscles. Am J Anat. 1956;99:315-50.
Ridley A. Silver staining of nerve endings in human digital glabrous skin. J Anat. 1969;104:44-8.
Castano P, Rumio C, Morini M, Miani A Jr, Castano SM. Three dimensional reconstruction of the Meissner's capsule of man after silver impregnation and immuno-fluorescence with PGP 9.5 antibodies using confocal scanning laser microscopy. J Anat. 1995;186:261-70.
Winkelman RK, Schmitt RW. A simple silver method for nerve axoplasma. Proc Staf Myoclin. 1951;32:217-23.
Dickens WN, Winkelman RK, Muldar DW. Cholinesterase demonstration of dermal nerve endings in patients with impaired sensation. Neurol Minneap. 1963;13:91-100.
Winkelman RK, Schmitt RW. A simple silver method for nerve axoplasma. Proc Staf Myoclin. 1951;32:217-23.
Balton CF, Winkelman RK, Pyck PJ. A quantitative study of Meissner's corpuscle in man. Neurol. 1966;16:1-9.
Ghei SK, Girdhar BK, Ramu G, Katoch K, Ramanathan U, Sengupta U, Desikan KV. Dermatoglyphics in leprosy (I Finger Pattern). Indian J Leprosy. 1984;56(4):855-60.
Natekar PE, Desoza FM. Fluctuating asymmetry in dermatoglyphics of carcinoma of breast. Indian J Hum Genet. 2006;12:76-81.
Chmne HD, Ksheersagar DD. Dermatoglyphic patterns in angiographically proven coronary artery disease. J Anat Soc India. 2012;61(2):262-8.
