Nerves at the roots of hair follicles to detect pain, temperature, itch, and hair movement are called

The correct answer for the blank is-

Free nerve endings.

Free nerve endings can sense temperature, various mechanical stimuli such as pressure, touch, stretch as well as pain and itch.

Free nerve endings extend from the dermis region to the spaces that are present between the epidermal cells. Their primary role is to detect pain ( that is nociception) but also serve other functions..

In other words, different free nerve endings act as thermoreceptors ( for sensing temperature/ heat), mechanoreceptors and ( for sensing pressure, touch, stretch) and nociceptors ( for sensing pain).