Touch

Touch is one the the five senses of human beings and animals. It involves all parts of the human body but is often liked to the use of the hands. The information brought to the brain from a texture is calculated by vibrations of the epidermis, translated into nervous signals by the mechanical receiver systems. The information can be modified depending on the pressure, the speed and the length of the touch.

The touch is essential for the survive and evolution of the human beings. Fundamental key for the discovery of the environment, the exploration, the locomotion, the gripping ability, the nutrition, research of the solar exposure, socail relashionships, sexuality...

Nervous reactions to textures are an imporant part of the touch, the information is modified wether what is touched is : Hard, soft, slipery, moisturise, hairy, furry, smooth, gentle, rough, sharp, hot, cold, warm, plain. But also reactions to winds, liquids and gases.

Skin is the essential organic part of human body responsible of the analysis of these external informations but hairs, hair, nails, mucous membranes and related muscles and glands can do so. Skin weighs an average of four Kg and covers an area of two square meters. It is made of three distinct layers, epidermis (the most superfical), dermi and, subcutabeous tissues. There are two main distinct types of human skin: glabrous skin (the non- hairy skin of the palms and soles) and the hair- bearing skin.

With the four other human and animal senses, touch provides human beings a concrete understanding of the surrounding elments and a practically imidate reactions.

Troubles can alterate the sense of touch by modifying the information interpretation; skin disorders and cutaneous diseases.