Tactile pad

{{Short description|Area of skin particularly sensitive to pressure, temperature, or pain}}

A tactile pad is an area of skin that is particularly sensitive to pressure, temperature, or pain. Tactile pads are characterized by high concentrations of free nerve endings.{{Cite web| url=http://anthro.palomar.edu/primate/glossary.htm#tactile_pad | title=The Primates: Glossary of Terms | author=O'Neil, D. | date=2007-06-08 | accessdate=2008-06-03}} In primates, the last phalanges in the fingers and toes have tactile pads, allowing very accurate manipulation of objects. This precision grip was an important evolutionary advance in primates.{{Cite web| url=http://members.aol.com/nonverbal2/precise.htm | title= Precision grip | author=Givens, D. B. | year=2002 | accessdate=2008-06-03 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070807171431/http://members.aol.com/nonverbal2/precise.htm | archivedate=2007-08-07}}