Sensory receptors include many specialized structures containing neurons or axons designed to detect stimuli from the environment. Many sensory receptors, such as taste buds, retina, etc., will be examined specifically later in the course.

The examples to be studied here are "mechanoreceptors" consisting of thin layers of connective tissue around sensory axons.

Some of these will be seen in skin specimens and other slides studied later in the course, but for now examine the micrographs showing free nerve endings, as well as

• Meissner's corpuscles (Fig. 18-11a),
• Pacinian corpuscles (Fig. 18-11b), and
• A neuromuscular spindle (Fig. 10-14).
  • Image to the right

Know the histological differences and functions of these structures.

Next comes specialized sensory organs.