Pacinian corpuscle

noun

Pa·​cin·​i·​an corpuscle pə-ˈsi-nē-ən- How to pronounce Pacinian corpuscle (audio)
: a pressure-sensitive mechanoreceptor that is an oval capsule terminating some sensory nerve fibers especially in the skin

Word History

Etymology

Filippo Pacini †1883 Italian anatomist

First Known Use

circa 1860, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Pacinian corpuscle was circa 1860

Dictionary Entries Near Pacinian corpuscle

Cite this Entry

“Pacinian corpuscle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Pacinian%20corpuscle. Accessed 27 Mar. 2023.

Medical Definition

Pacinian corpuscle

noun
Pa·​cin·​i·​an corpuscle pə-ˌsin-ē-ən- How to pronounce Pacinian corpuscle (audio)
variants also Pacini's corpuscle
: a pressure-sensitive mechanoreceptor that is an oval capsule terminating some sensory nerve fibers especially in the skin (as of the hands and feet) see corpuscle of herbst
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


A Good Old-Fashioned Quiz

Spell It

Hear a word and type it out. How many can you get right?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY