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Meissner's corpuscles are specialized nerve endings located in the upper part of the dermis, just below the epidermis, and they are highly sensitive to light touch. They play a crucial role in the tactile sensory system by providing the brain with information about gentle and light physical stimuli.

What distinguishes Meissner's corpuscles is their specific location in the skin; they are the only type of corpuscle found within the epidermis itself, making them particularly important for detecting light touch sensations. This sensitivity helps individuals respond to subtle tactile stimuli, which can be critical for tasks such as reading Braille or feeling the texture of materials.

Other types of corpuscles, such as Ruffini endings, Merkel cells, and Pacinian corpuscles, are important for different types of sensory information: Ruffini endings are more involved in detecting skin stretch, Merkel cells (found in the basal epidermal layer) are responsible for detecting sustained pressure and texture, and Pacinian corpuscles are specialized for detecting deep pressure and vibration but are located deeper in the dermis. Each of these structures has distinct roles in the sensory system, but Meissner's corpuscles are specifically associated with sensitivity to light touch in the upper layers of the skin.