Filippo Pacini and the discovery of the Pacinian corpuscles

Filippo Pacini was an Italian anatomist whose work significantly contributed to sensory physiology and microbiology. He first described specialized mechanoreceptors, later termed Pacinian corpuscles, recognizing their connection to nerves and role in tactile perception. Although initially overlooked, his findings became fundamental to modern aesthesiology. Pacini also identified Vibrio cholerae as the cause of cholera, anticipating key developments in epidemiology. This article contextualizes his discoveries within 19thcentury scientific debates and highlights the originality and lasting impact of his work.