A Survey of the Mechanical Characteristics of Skin and Tissue in Response to Vibratory Stimulation

The possibility that the mechanical characteristics of skin and tissues may influence physiological and psychophysical measurements of tactile sensitivity is considered. A survey of selected literature indicating how certain mechanical characteristics of skin and tissue vary as a function of changes in variables known to influence physiological and psychophysical measurements of the tactile system is presented. Finally, certain physiological and psychophysical studies in which the physical properties of the area stimulated may have influenced the results are mentioned.