Merkel Cell

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.