Merkel Cell
Merkel cells or Merkel-Ranvier cells are oval receptor cells found in the skin of vertebrates that have synaptic contacts with somatosensory afferents. They are associated with the sense of light touch discrimination of shapes and textures. They can turn malignant and form the skin tumor known as Merkel cell carcinoma.
There is evidence that they are derived from neural crest. More recent experiments in mammals have indicated that they are in fact epithelial in origin.
Read more about Merkel Cell: Location, Function, Developmental Origin
Famous quotes containing the word cell:
“Theres not one part of his physical being thats like that of human beings. From his warped brain down to the tiniest argumentative cell of his huge carcass, hes unearthly.”
—Willis Cooper. Rowland V. Lee. Wolf von Frankenstein (Basil Rathbone)