Tactile sensory coding in the glabrous skin of the human hand

Abstract

The human hand and the brain are close partners in two important and closely interconnected functions, i.e. to explore the physical world and to reshape selected segments of it according to man's intentions. Both these functions are highly dependent on accurate descriptions of mechanical events when objects are brought in contact with the hand. A key role in providing such information is played by the population of mechanoreceptive afferent units innervating the hairless skin of the volar aspect of the hand, i.e. the glabrous skin. Recently it became possible to explore the characteristics of these units in man and to elucidate their role in perception as well as in motor functions. © 1983.