Which receptor is located in the dermal papillae, corresponding to fingerprint sensitivity?

• A. Meissner's corpuscles
• B. Merkel cells
• C. Pacinian corpuscles
• D. Free nerve endings

Answer: (A)

Meissner's corpuscles are the receptors responsible for fingerprint-level touch sensitivity because they are located in the superficial dermal papillae just beneath the epidermal ridges that form fingerprints. These encapsulated nerve endings specialize in detecting light, dynamic touch and texture changes, giving high tactile acuity in the fingertips. Merkel cells are in the epidermal-dermal junction and mediate static touch and shape perception, Pacinian corpuscles lie deeper in the dermis and respond to high-frequency vibrations, and free nerve endings detect pain and temperature. So the receptors in the dermal papillae that underlie fingerprint sensitivity are Meissner's corpuscles.