ZweiPunktDiskriminationsTests
Zweipunktdiskrimination, also called two-point discrimination, is the smallest distance at which two simultaneous tactile stimuli on the skin are perceived as two distinct points. It is a standard measure of tactile acuity and varies across body regions according to sensory receptor density and cortical representation.
The underlying mechanism lies in the distribution of mechanoreceptors in the skin (for example, Merkel cells
Measurement is typically performed with an aesthesiometer or calipers. The examiner alternates between one and two-point
Clinical relevance: The test helps assess peripheral nerve function and somatosensory pathway integrity. Abnormal thresholds can
Limitations include examiner technique, patient attention, and instrument calibration. Standardized protocols and site-specific norms improve reliability
See also: tactile acuity, somatosensory system, sensory thresholds.