“Touch”, 12×36” acrylic painting

Created by Dr. Kathleen Sluka. Vibrant colors showing the skin with nociceptors (pain) and touch receptors. The skin is highly sensitive to external stimuli. Activation of these receptors allows you to feel not only pain, but also all forms of touch - smooth, rough, soft. Neurologists often stain these fibers and in some conditions there is a loss of pain fibers in the skin which is called small fiber neuropathy. Perfect present for your favorite neurologist, pain scientist, or anyone who loves pink!

Signed giclee prints will be signed by the artist. These are limited editions with just 50 on canvas and 50 on paper. These prints are custom printed and will be mailed by USPS or UPS within 1-2 weeks.

Description: The epidermis, in pink, is separated from the dermis, in black, by the basement membrane in white. The epidermis is constantly making new cells from its basal layer, the dark pink column-like cells on top of the white basement membrane. Pain nerves are depicted in green lines coursing through the epidermis. Meissner’s corpuscles, depicted as green ovals in the dermis, are responsible for light touch. They are very sensitive and found in the highest concentrations in your fingers and lips.