Human digital Meissner's corpuscles are not doubly innervated
In brief
95% to 98% of human fingertip Meissner corpuscles have one nerve axon
Multiple staining methods and 3D reconstructions found that about 95% to 98% of human digital Meissner corpuscles are supplied by a single axon, with no confirmed evidence of double innervation. TrkB and Ret markers were found together in that axon, unlike the separate nerve fibers described in some other species; the study leaves open how this wiring shapes human touch.
- Journal
- Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007) (Q2)
- Published
- 19 October 2026
- Study design
- Unclassified
- Evidence level
- Level 5, Expert Opinion (CEBM 5)
- Authors
- Patricia Cuendias, Yolanda García-Mesa, Iván Suazo, Marta Alonso-Guervós, Jorge García-Piqueras, Ana M Abreu-Velez, et al.
- PMID
- 42897437
- DOI
- 10.1002/ar.70361
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Histology (top studies of the week, 25 October 2026): Human sensory corpuscle architecture demonstrated with complementary microscopy
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that murine and avian Meissner-like corpuscles are innervated by two distinct mechanoreceptor afferents with different functional properties. In addition, there is evidence that one subpopulation of Meissner corpuscles of monkeys is doubly innervated by mechanoreceptors and nociceptors. In humans, however, most Meissner corpuscles are supplied by a single axon. In the present study, different techniques were used (silver impregnation, immunohistochemistry for axon markers, axonal 3D reconstruction, and double immunofluorescence associated with confocal laser microscopy) to analyze whether human digital Meissner's corpuscles have double innervation. The percentage of Meissner corpuscles with apparent double innervation was minimal, about 2%, but these data were not confirmed when sections processed for double immunofluorescence for peripherin plus neurofilament proteins or TrkB plus Ret were analyzed. In fact, TrkB co-localized with Ret in the axon of Meissner's corpuscles. In the 3D axonal reconstructions, there was no evidence of double innervation but the single axon had different calibers along its path and very fine collateral protrusions. The present results demonstrate that most human digital Meissner's corpuscles (around 95-98%) are innervated by a single axon in which TrkB and Ret co-localize, instead of being supplied by two independent TrkB- and Ret-positive axons as occurs in other species.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.