Sensations from Surgically Transferred Glabrous Skin; Central Versus Peripheral Factors

In reinnervated skin transferred from the foot to the hand, sensory thresholds approach normal values--an observation not predicted by the theoretical relationship between innervation density and tactile acuity. Therefore, we suggest that innervation density is not the major factor determining tactile acuity. Rather, the hand region of the central somesthetic map may be specialized to provide a calibre of function unavailable to other regions.