C tactile afferent

C tactile (CT) afferents are a class of nerve fibers that innervate the human skin. CT afferents belong to group C nerve fibers, and are unmyelinated, have a small diameter and slow conduction velocity. CT afferents were discovered by Åke Vallbo using the technique of microneurography. CT afferents are found in the hairy skin (i.e. not in the glabrous skin of the palms or soles), and respond selectively to gentle, slow skin stroking or caresses. CT afferents project to the insular cortex in the brain, and the firing frequency of CT fibers correlate with perceived pleasantness of skin stroking.