THE “RECEPTRIPSE”: THE DESMOSOME-LIKE LAMELLAR-AXONAL JUNCTION SUBSERVING MECHANO-ELECTRIC TRANSDUCTION AND EFFECTING THE SYMPATHETIC ACTIONS ON THE PACINIAN SENSOR

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of the receptripse—the desmosome-like lamellar–axonal junction subserving mechano-electric transduction and effecting the sympathetic actions on the pacinian sensor. Electron microscopic scrutiny of the sensory terminal of the Pacinian corpuscle reveals the presence of desmosome-like junctions intervening between the membrane of the innermost lamellae and that of the sensory ending. The receptripses are the terminal focuses through which the mechanical energy must by all means pass to be conveyed to the sensory terminal membrane to be transduced in a sum of miniature excitatory receptor potentials (MERP). These MERPs would contribute to the total excitatory receptor potential (ERP) as usually recorded. It is at the receptripse that transduction occurs. It is also believed that inhibitory action of the sympathetic stimulation occurs at receptripse.