Ruffini corpuscles primarily respond to which type of sensation?

Ruffini corpuscles are specialized mechanoreceptors located in the skin and various connective tissues. Their primary function is to detect sustained pressure and skin stretching, making them particularly sensitive to changes in skin tension and joint movement. This characteristic allows them to play a critical role in proprioception, helping to inform the brain about the position and movement of the body.

Given this understanding, the most accurate answer regarding the primary sensation to which Ruffini corpuscles respond would be pressure, rather than heat. While Ruffini corpuscles do have a role in the overall perception of touch, their specific sensitivity to sustained mechanical deformation means they are tied more closely to pressure rather than moderate temperature sensations like heat or cold. This anatomical and functional specificity highlights the role Ruffini corpuscles play in the sensory system, especially in detecting prolonged pressure rather than temperature changes.