Logan Steele
The arrector pili muscle is a small band of smooth muscle that connects the hair follicle to the connective tissue of the basement membrane. When the arrector pili muscle contracts, it pulls the hair into a vertical position, causing the hair to stand on end, known colloquially as goose bumps. The arrector pili muscle also elevates the epidermis where the hair enters and depresses the epidermis where the muscle attaches at the papillary layer of the dermis, thus forming small hillocks known as goosebumps.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Arrector pili muscle (APM) |
| Other names | Hair erector muscles |
| Type | Smooth muscle |
| Size | Small |
| Location | Skin |
| Origin | Papillary layer of dermis |
| Insertion | Hair follicle |
| Innervation | Sympathetic |
| Action | Elevate hair on the skin |
| Composition | Bundle of smooth muscle fibres |
| Attachment | Hair follicle, connective tissue of the basement membrane |
| Function | Mediates thermoregulation, aids expulsion of sebaceous gland contents |
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What You'll Learn
- The arrector pili muscle is a type of tiny smooth muscle of the skin
- Contraction of these muscles causes the hair to stand on end, known as goose bumps
- The arrector pili muscle is attached to the hair follicle
- The arrector pili muscle is innervated by the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system
- The arrector pili muscle is thought to have a role in hair loss
The arrector pili muscle is a type of tiny smooth muscle of the skin
The arrector pili muscle is innervated by the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system. It attaches to the follicular stem cell niche in the follicular bulge, splitting at its deep end to encircle the follicle. The contraction of the muscle is involuntary.
The arrector pili muscle is formed by bundles of closely packed smooth muscle cells. The muscle extends obliquely, attaching to the hair follicle to the papillary layer of the dermis. At the hair follicle, the arrector pili muscle is attached to a bulged region in the connective tissue sheath via elastin fibrils.
The arrector pili muscle also has a role in thermoregulation. It contracts to increase air-trapping, which helps to regulate body temperature. Recent studies have also suggested that the arrector pili muscle may have a role in maintaining follicular integrity and stability, and could be involved in hair loss disorders.
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Contraction of these muscles causes the hair to stand on end, known as goose bumps
The arrector pili muscles, also known as hair erector muscles, are small muscles attached to hair follicles in mammals. They are composed of a bundle of smooth muscle fibres which attach to several follicles (a follicular unit).
Contraction of these muscles causes the hair to stand on end, known colloquially as goose bumps (piloerection). The arrector pili muscle is a type of tiny smooth muscle of the skin whose contraction causes the hair to stand erect with cutis anserina (goose flesh). The muscle extends obliquely, attaching to the hair follicle to the papillary layer of the dermis.
The arrector pili muscle (APM) consists of a small band of smooth muscle that connects the hair follicle to the connective tissue of the basement membrane. The APM mediates thermoregulation by contracting to increase air-trapping, but was thought to be vestigial in humans. The APM attaches proximally to the hair follicle at the bulge, a known stem cell niche.
When the arrector pili muscle contracts, it pulls the hair into a vertical position. It also elevates the epidermis where the hair enters and depressed the epidermis where the muscle attaches at the papillary layer of the dermis, thus forming small hillocks known as goosebumps. The contraction of the muscle is involuntary and can be caused by stresses such as cold or fear.
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The arrector pili muscle is attached to the hair follicle
The arrector pili muscle is a tiny muscle that connects the hair follicle to the connective tissue of the basement membrane. It is also known as the hair erector muscle. When the arrector pili muscle contracts, it pulls the hair into a vertical position, causing the hair to stand on end. This is known colloquially as goose bumps or cutis anserina (goose flesh).
The arrector pili muscle is composed of a bundle of smooth muscle fibres. Each muscle is attached to several hair follicles (a follicular unit). The arrector pili muscle attaches to the follicular stem cell niche in the follicular bulge, splitting at its deep end to encircle the follicle.
The arrector pili muscle is innervated by the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system. Its contraction is involuntary and can be caused by stresses such as cold or fear.
Recent studies have suggested that the arrector pili muscle may play a role in maintaining the integrity and stability of the hair follicle. This has led to research into its potential role in hair loss disorders.
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The arrector pili muscle is innervated by the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system
The arrector pili muscle, also known as the hair erector muscle, is a small muscle attached to hair follicles in mammals. When the arrector pili muscle contracts, it pulls the hair into a vertical position, causing the hair to stand on end, which is known colloquially as goose bumps or gooseflesh.
The arrector pili muscle is composed of a bundle of smooth muscle fibres which attach to several hair follicles, forming a follicular unit. Each arrector pili muscle is innervated by the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system. This means that the muscle is supplied with nerves by the sympathetic nervous system, which is part of the autonomic nervous system responsible for regulating involuntary bodily functions.
The sympathetic nervous system is often associated with the "fight or flight" response, and the contraction of the arrector pili muscle is typically involuntary, occurring in response to stresses such as cold or fear. When the muscle contracts, it not only raises the hair but also elevates the epidermis where the hair enters and depresses the epidermis where the muscle attaches at the papillary layer of the dermis, forming small hillocks known as goosebumps.
In addition to its role in producing goose bumps, the arrector pili muscle also has a function in thermoregulation. By contracting, it increases air-trapping, helping to regulate body temperature. Recent studies have also suggested that the arrector pili muscle may play a role in maintaining follicular integrity and stability and could be involved in hair loss disorders.
The arrector pili muscle is formed by bundles of closely packed smooth muscle cells. It originates in the papillary layer of the dermis and inserts into a hair follicle, attaching to a bulged region in the connective tissue sheath via elastin fibrils.
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The arrector pili muscle is thought to have a role in hair loss
The arrector pili muscle, also known as the hair erector muscle, is a type of tiny smooth muscle of the skin. When it contracts, it pulls the hair into a vertical position, causing the hair to stand on end, known colloquially as goose bumps (piloerection).
The arrector pili muscle is formed by bundles of closely packed smooth muscle cells. The muscle extends obliquely, attaching to the hair follicle to the papillary layer of the dermis. At the hair follicle, the arrector pili muscle is attached to a bulged region in the connective tissue sheath via elastin fibrils.
The arrector pili muscle also has a role in thermoregulation. By contracting, it increases air-trapping, which helps to regulate body temperature.
Frequently asked questions
The arrector pili muscle is a type of tiny smooth muscle of the skin that connects the hair follicle to the connective tissue of the basement membrane.
When the arrector pili muscle contracts, it pulls the hair into a vertical position, causing the hair to stand on end, which is known colloquially as goose bumps.
The arrector pili muscle is connected to the sebaceous gland at the hair follicle, and its contraction aids the expulsion of the gland's contents.
The arrector pili muscle originates in the papillary layer of the dermis and inserts into a hair follicle.
