Sensory receptors in the skin are important for perceiving the external environment. The density of these receptors depends heavily on the location on the body. Use Carolina® 2-Point Discriminators to help students explore varying pressure receptor densities at different points. The activity “Cutaneous 2-Point Discrimination” provides a quick, easy procedure to help students learn about some of the functions of their own integumentary systems.

Skin models provide greatly enlarged cross sections that make it easy to visualize the layers of the skin as well as the placement of sebaceous glands and sensory receptors. Prepared microscope slides of skin cross sections are also valuable in the lab. You can similarly use our  Integumentary System Slide Set. Pressure receptors aren’t the only kind of sensory receptor you can examine. The Carolina® Cutaneous Sensations Kit allows students to test for touch and temperature receptor density. As you wrap up your integumentary system unit, use this review as a study guide.