Which corpuscle is sensitive to light touch and located exclusively in the epidermis?

The correct answer is associated with Meissner corpuscles, which are specialized nerve endings located in the upper layer of the skin, specifically in the papillary dermis just beneath the epidermis. They are responsible for detecting light touch and are particularly abundant in areas of the skin that are sensitive, such as the fingertips and toes.

Meissner corpuscles are encapsulated and consist of a stack of flattened cells, which makes them sensitive to changes in texture and light pressure. Their location in the dermis allows them to react to stimuli coming from the epidermis, which is the outermost layer of skin. This functional relationship enables Meissner corpuscles to accurately perceive light touch sensations.

In contrast, other corpuscles such as Pacinian corpuscles are located deeper in the dermis and are sensitive to deep pressure and vibration, while Ruffini endings respond to skin stretch and are also situated deeper in the skin. Merkel cells, while they are associated with touch and are found in the epidermis, do not operate in the same manner as Meissner's for light touch. Thus, Meissner corpuscles stand out as the primary sensory receptors for light touch within the epidermis.