Pacinian corpuscle distribution, density, and morphology of the adult human foot in health and diabetes : a scoping review

Abstract

Pacinian corpuscles (PCs) remain insufficiently investigated in diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy and associated alterations in plantar soft-tissue integrity, despite their role as fast-adapting mechanoreceptors essential for proprioception and locomotor stability. The extent to which PCs contribute to sensory impairment and foot dysfunction in these conditions remains unclear. This scoping review aimed to evaluate research on the distribution, density, and morphology of plantar PCs in the adult human foot among healthy populations and individuals with diabetes. Studies published from 1 January 2015 to 28 February 2026 were identified from 6 electronic sources. Reporting followed PRISMA guidelines, and methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools. Four studies met the inclusion criteria. These included a case report, an experimental study, a morphometric analysis, and a combined retrospective-prospective study, each involving relatively small sample sizes. Both histological quantification and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can detect PCs and may support early identification of peripheral neuropathy-related sensory changes, but the evidence remains sparse. Accordingly, further research in larger, well-characterised cohorts is needed to establish reliable reference standards and to clarify changes in PC density associated with diabetic neuropathy.