Open AccessMerkel cells: A collective review of current concepts
Author(s) -
Jacob Abraham,
Sherin Mathew
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
international journal of applied and basic medical research/international journal of applied and basic medical research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2248-9606
pISSN - 2229-516X
DOI - 10.4103/ijabmr.ijabmr_34_18
Subject(s) - merkel cell , neuroscience , relevance (law) , population , cognitive science , somatosensory system , sensory system , biology , discernment , psychology , epistemology , sociology , political science , philosophy , genetics , merkel cell carcinoma , carcinoma , law , demography
Merkel cells (MCs) constitute a very unique population of postmitotic cells scattered along the dermo-epidermal junction. These cells that have synaptic contacts with somatosensory afferents are regarded to have a pivotal role in sensory discernment. Several concerns exist till date as to their origin, multiplication, and relevance in skin biology. The article, a collective review of literature extracted from PubMed search and dermatology books, provides novel insights into the physiology of MCs and their recent advances.