Evidence for different types of mechanoreceptors from measurements of the psychophysical threshold for vibrations under different stimulation conditions

The shape of the psychophysical frequency threshold curve for vibrations presented to the skin in the frequency region 5-1000 Hz is strongly dependent on the static force that the vibrator exerts on the skin and on whether there is a rigid surround around the vibrating contactor (presence of contrast). Where there is no rigid surround, an increase in static force reduces the threshold in the high-frequency region and increases it at low frequencies. When the static forces are sufficiently large, the thresholds reach a minimum value above 30 Hz and a maximum one below 30 Hz, this being the crossover frequency. Under these conditions in the frequency region around 200 Hz, where the threshold is determined by the Pacini receptor system, the vibration sensitivities of finger pad and thenar eminence (glabrous skin) are equal, while the value for the inner side of the forearm (hairy skin) is 12 dB higher. However, when a rigid surround is used, the threshold increases above 30 Hz and decreases below 30 Hz. The latter increase in sensitivity, which is introduced by the presence of contrast cues, amounts to about 20 dB and is sharply tuned at 18 Hz for the glabrous skin of the finger. It is argued that in this case the threshold is determined by the Meissner receptor system. This increase in sensitivity is less pronounced (about 10 dB) and less sharply tuned for the other sites. Finally, when the contact of the vibrating surface to the skin is at a minimum, the vibration threshold has the same displacement value (about 3 microns) over the whole frequency region independent of the site of stimulation and whether or not a rigid surround is present.