Free nerve ending

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A free nerve ending (FNE) is an unspecialized, afferent nerve ending, meaning it brings information from the body's periphery to the brain. They function as cutaneous receptors.

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Free nerve endings are unencapsulated and have no complex sensory structures, unlike those found in Meissner's or Pacinian corpuscles. They are the most common type of nerve ending, and are most frequently found in the skin. They penetrate the epidermis and end in the stratum granulosum.

Free nerve ending have different rate of adaption, stimulus modalities and fiber types

Different types of FNE can be rapidly adapting, intermediate adapting, or slowly adapting. Aδ fibres are fast-adapting, while C fibers are slowly adapting.

Free nerve endings can detect temperature, mechanical stimuli (touch, pressure, stretch), pain (nociception). Thus, different free nerve endings work as thermoreceptors, cutaneous mechanoreceptors and nociceptors. In other words, they express polymodality.

See also: Sensory fiber types

The majority of Aδ (A delta) fibers (group III) and C (group IV) fibers end as free nerve endings.

  • MacIver M, Tanelian D (1993). "Free nerve ending terminal morphology is fiber type specific for A delta and C fibers innervating rabbit corneal epithelium.". J Neurophysiol 69 (5): 1779-83. PMID 8509835. 
  • Hada R (1990). "[Difference in responses of free nerve endings and Ruffini-type endings innervating the cat mandibular periosteum to square wave pressure stimuli, ramp mechanical stimuli and triangular vibrations]". Shikwa Gakuho 90 (2): 161-80. PMID 2135092. 
  • Cleland C, Hayward L, Rymer W (1990). "Neural mechanisms underlying the clasp-knife reflex in the cat. II. Stretch-sensitive muscular-free nerve endings.". J Neurophysiol 64 (4): 1319-30. PMID 2258749. 
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Nervous system, receptors: somatosensory system
Medial lemniscus
Spinothalamic tract


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