Knowra Vibrissae Vibrissae Vibrissae are stiff, specialized hairs whose sensory follicles detect movement and contact, providing tactile information about nearby objects. They occur in many mammals, including whiskers around the muzzle.
Follicle-sinus complex : A blood-filled, highly innervated follicle structure that surrounds a vibrissa root and detects its deflection. This specialized structure converts vibrissa movement into sensory nerve activity.
Rodent whiskers : Facial vibrissae in rodents, used to explore surfaces, locate objects, and guide movement. Rodents use whisker contact to identify edges, openings, and nearby objects.
Hair follicle : A skin structure that produces and anchors a hair shaft. A vibrissa grows from a follicle adapted for unusually sensitive touch.
Guard hair : A long, coarse coat hair that helps protect an animal's fur and skin. Guard hairs are coat structures, whereas vibrissae have specialized tactile follicles.
Mechanoreceptor : A sensory receptor that responds to physical deformation, such as pressure, vibration, or stretch. Vibrissa follicles contain mechanoreceptors that register hair movement.
Seal whiskers : Long facial vibrissae in seals that detect water movements and hydrodynamic trails. Seal vibrissae can reveal the wakes left by moving prey.
Hair shaft : The keratinized filament that projects from a hair follicle through the skin surface. The exposed shaft transmits external forces to the sensory follicle.
Mystacial vibrissa : A facial vibrissa growing from the whisker pad beside a mammal's nose. This familiar whisker type is one specific form of vibrissa.
Trigeminal nerve : The cranial nerve that carries facial sensation, including signals from many mammalian vibrissae. It carries touch signals from facial vibrissae toward the brain.
Cat whiskers : Facial vibrissae in cats that provide tactile information about nearby objects and air movement. Their placement helps cats sense objects close to the face.
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