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1754702 
Journal Article 
Distribution and behaviour of glabrous cutaneous receptors in the human foot sole 
Kennedy, PM; Inglis, JT 
2002 
Yes 
Journal of Physiology
ISSN: 0022-3751
EISSN: 1469-7793 
538 
3 
995-1002 
11826182 
WOS:000173893300028 
To document the activity of cutaneous mechanoreceptors in
the glabrous skin of the foot sole, tungsten microelectrodes were inserted through the popliteal
fossa and into the tibial nerve of thirteen healthy human subjects. A total of 104 cutaneous
mechanoreceptors were identified in the glabrous skin of the foot. This sample consisted of 15
slow adapting type I (14 %), 16 slow adapting type II (15 %), 59 fast adapting type I (57 %), and
14 fast adapting type II units (14 %). The location of the receptors and the outline of the
receptive fields were determined by using nylon monofilaments perpendicularly applied against the
surface of the skin. This revealed that the receptors were widely distributed without an
accumulation of receptors in the toes. There were also larger receptive fields predominantly
isolated on the plantar surface of the metatarsal-tarsal region of the foot sole. Furthermore,
with the foot in an unloaded position, there was no background discharge activity in any of the
cutaneous receptors in the absence of intentionally applied stimulation. These findings suggest
that skin receptors in the foot sole behave differently from those receptors found on the
glabrous skin of the hand. This may reflect the role of foot sole skin receptors in standing
balance and movement control.