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Collagenous Skeleton of the Rat Mystacial Pad
Author(s) -
Haidarliu Sebastian,
Simony Erez,
Golomb David,
Ahissar Ehud
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the anatomical record: advances in integrative anatomy and evolutionary biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.678
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1932-8494
pISSN - 1932-8486
DOI - 10.1002/ar.21371
Subject(s) - skeleton (computer programming) , anatomy , whisker , extracellular matrix , chemistry , autofluorescence , whiskers , biophysics , materials science , biology , fluorescence , physics , composite material , quantum mechanics , biochemistry
Abstract Anatomical and functional integrity of the rat mystacial pad (MP) is dependent on the intrinsic organization of its extracellular matrix. By using collagen autofluorescence, in the rat MP, we revealed a collagenous skeleton that interconnects whisker follicles, corium, and deep collagen layers. We suggest that this skeleton supports MP tissues, mediates force transmission from muscles to whiskers, facilitates whisker retraction after protraction, and limits MP extensibility. Anat Rec, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.