Cutaneous thermoreceptor

A **cutaneous thermoreceptor** is a type of sensory receptor located in the skin that detects changes in environmental temperature. These receptors are specialized free nerve endings of peripheral sensory neurons that transduce thermal stimuli into electrical signals sent to the central nervous system. There are two main types: those sensitive to warmth and those sensitive to cold. The molecular basis for their function involves transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels—most notably **TRPV1** for heat/capsaicin sensitivity and **TRPM8** for cold/menthol sensitivity[1][2][5]. Cutaneous thermoreceptors play an essential role in homeostasis by enabling behavioral and physiological responses such as shivering or sweating when body temperature deviates from normal[3][4]. They do not represent a single protein or gene product but rather a functional class comprising various molecular entities expressed on peripheral nerves.

Other names

Skin thermoreceptorPeripheral thermoreceptorTemperature receptor (cutaneous)Thermosensitive nerve ending (skin)