Ruffini endings are spindle-shaped, slowly adapting receptors in the deeper dermis and in joint capsules and ligaments. Their nerve endings are woven among collagen fibres, so they respond to skin stretch and sustained pressure. They signal the direction of skin stretch, for example as fingers bend.
| Location | Deep dermis, joint capsules and ligaments |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | A-beta myelinated sensory fibres of the regional nerves |
| Blood Supply | Dermal and capsular small vessels |
Detect skin stretch and sustained pressure, contributing to the sense of finger position and hand shape.
By sensing skin and capsule stretch, Ruffini endings contribute to sense of finger and joint position. Joint mechanoreceptors including Ruffini endings are found in ligaments such as the anterior cruciate ligament, and their loss after injury may contribute to reduced proprioception, which balance and proprioceptive training aim to restore.
Damage to ligament and capsule mechanoreceptors after sprains or ligament tears reduces joint position sense and increases re-injury risk.
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