Erector pilli

Erector Pili is a muscle associated with hair follicles in mammals. It is a tiny muscle that allows for the hair to stand up when the muscle contracts. This is often a response to cold temperatures or fear, a phenomenon commonly known as "goosebumps".

Function

The primary function of the Erector Pili muscle is to generate heat when the body is cold, which is achieved by making the hair stand up, thus trapping a layer of air to insulate the skin. This is also the reason why humans get "goosebumps" when they are cold or scared.

Anatomy

The Erector Pili muscle is a small band of smooth muscle attached to the base of a hair follicle at one end and to dermal tissue on the other end. When the muscle contracts, it pulls the hair upright, creating a bump in the skin surface.

Clinical Significance

Abnormal function of the Erector Pili muscle may lead to conditions such as Alopecia, a condition characterized by hair loss. In addition, the muscle's response to cold or fear is often used as a measure of the body's Sympathetic Nervous System activity.

See Also

• Hair Follicle
• Sympathetic Nervous System
• Alopecia

References

Erector pilli Resources
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