Thermoreceptors are free nerve endings in the skin that sense temperature. Separate warm and cold receptors increase their firing as temperature rises or falls within the non-painful range.
| Location | Skin and mucous membranes; also the hypothalamus and spinal cord |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Small diameter sensory fibres in cutaneous nerves |
| Blood Supply | Dermal capillaries |
Provide temperature sensation and information for regulating body temperature.
Menthol activates cold channels and capsaicin the heat channel, which is why they feel cool and hot. Temperature sense is lost in small fibre neuropathy, raising the risk of burns. Testing hot and cold sensation is part of the neurological examination.
Damage to thin nerve fibres causing burning pain and reduced temperature sense.
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