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Arrector pili muscle: evidence of proximal attachment variant in terminal follicles of the scalp
Author(s) -
Barcaui C.B.,
PiñeiroMaceira J.,
De Avelar Alchorne M.M.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2133.2002.04541.x
Subject(s) - scalp , terminal (telecommunication) , anatomy , biology , hair follicle , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , computer science , telecommunications
Summary Background There is general agreement that the proximal attachment site of the arrector pili (AP) muscle, via elastic tendons, is the bulge region, where follicular stem cells are situated. A variant of this insertion, in which the AP muscle surrounds the follicle circumference, has been described in human facial vellus hair follicles. Objectives To investigate whether terminal hair follicles of the human scalp may also present this variant of proximal insertion of the AP muscle. Methods Histological and immunohistochemical methods were used. Results At the bulge level, bundles of the AP muscle were seen to encircle the entire hair follicle. Conclusions Terminal follicles of the human scalp may also present this variant of proximal insertion of the AP muscle.