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[MUSIC]

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Joan Cartan-Hansen, Host: Your 
skin has over 5 million tiny

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nerve endings that together form 
your sense of touch.

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There are actually 20 different 
types of nerve endings in your

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skin, grouped into four main 
categories.

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Mechanoreceptors.these help you 
detect pressure, vibrations and

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texture.

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Thermoreceptors.there are two 
kinds-- one type to detected hot

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and one type to detect cold.

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Pain receptors send an "ouch" 
signal to your brain when you

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get a cut, scrape, burn or bug 
bite.

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And proprioceptors. These nerve 
endings help you sense the

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position of different parts of 
the body in relation to each

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other and in relation to your 
surroundings.

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You also have a second touch 
system that helps you register

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emotional touches.

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When you get a friendly or 
not-so-friendly touch, C-tactile

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fibers send signals to your 
brain.

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And you register an emotion, 
like happy or uncomfortable.

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These receptors help you 
identify friends and potential

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enemies.

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Your skin and your sense of 
touch keep you safe and in

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contact with the world.

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For more information about skin, 
check out the science trek

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website.

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You'll find it at science trek 
dot org.