Touch a Nerve

Our sense of touch depends on the nerve fibers that connect to receptors in the skin. In this image, sensory nerve fibers (red) can be seen in the paw of a developing mouse embryo. Each of these nerve fibers will become specialized to detect either pressure, pain, temperature, or itch, providing important information about the world around us.

About the Author

Michael W. Richardson

Michael W. Richardson is a writer and editor based in Brooklyn, New York, covering topics ranging from the brain and behavior to the environment.