arrector pili

(noun)

Any of the small muscles attached to hair follicles in mammals; when the muscles contract they cause the hairs to stand on end.

Related Terms

Examples of arrector pili in the following topics:

  • Thermoregulation

    • This is caused by tiny muscles under the surface of the skin, called arrector pili muscles.
    • The arrector pili muscles contract (piloerection) and lift the hair follicles upright.

  • Hair

    • They help comprise the arrector pili muscle that causes the hairs on our body to stand on their ends when we’re cold or we’re scared.  

  • Adrenergic Neurons and Receptors

  • Development of the Integumentary System

    • The integument also includes appendages, primarily the sweat and sebaceous glands, hair, nails and arrectores pillorum (tiny muscles at the root of each hair that cause goose bumps).