tactiele

Tactiele is the Dutch term corresponding to the English word tactile, relating to the sense of touch. In science, design, and everyday language it is used to describe anything that is perceived through touch or that has a tactile character. The concept covers both the physiological sense of touch and the ways in which touch information is produced, detected, or conveyed.

The word derives from Latin tactilis and entered Dutch via French and other Romance languages. In Dutch usage, tactiel or tactiele appear in compounds such as tactiele waarneming (tactile perception), tactiele feedback (tactile feedback), or tactiele textuur (tactile texture). The term is used across disciplines to distinguish touch-based phenomena from other senses such as vision or audition.

In biology and neuroscience, tactile perception is mediated by mechanoreceptors in the skin, including Merkel discs, Meissner’s corpuscles, Pacinian corpuscles, and Ruffini endings. These receptors respond to mechanical stimuli such as pressure, vibration, and texture, and transmit signals through peripheral nerves to the somatosensory cortex for interpretation. Tactiele perception underpins everyday tasks like gripping, exploring textures, and sensing temperature and pressure.

In technology and design, tactiele or haptic concepts are central to tactile feedback systems, tactile displays, and prosthetics. Haptic interfaces aim to convey information through touch, enhancing usability in devices, virtual reality, and assistive technologies. Tactiele considerations guide product texture, material choice, and the placement of feedback modalities to improve user interaction.

See also: tactile, haptics, somatosensory system, tactile sensor.