Pacinian corpuscle
a type of cutaneous receptor that is sensitive to contact and vibration. It consists of a nerve-fiber ending surrounded by concentric layers of connective tissue. Pacinian corpuscles are found in the fingers, the hairy skin, the tendons, and the abdominal membrane. Also called Pacinian body; Pacini’s corpuscle; Vater’s corpuscle. [Filippo Pacini (1812–1883), Italian anatomist]