| REVIEW ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2014 | Volume
: 6
| Issue : 3 | Page : 88-94 |
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Beyond goosebumps: Does the arrector pili muscle have a role in hair loss?
Niloufar Torkamani, Nicholas W Rufaut, Leslie Jones, Rodney D Sinclair
University of Melbourne; Epworth Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Correspondence Address:
Niloufar Torkamani
Epworth Hospital, Dermatology Lab, 185 187 Hoddle Street, Richmond, Victoria
Australia
 Source of Support: Niloufar Torkamani was supported by the
University of Melbourne International Research Scholarship, The
John Hayden Scholarship and Alwyn Stewart Memorial Trust
Fund Faculty of medicine Research Scholarship (University of
Melbourne),, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0974-7753.139077
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The arrector pili muscle (APM) consists of a small band of smooth muscle that connects the hair follicle to the connective tissue of the basement membrane. The APM mediates thermoregulation by contracting to increase air-trapping, but was thought to be vestigial in humans. The APM attaches proximally to the hair follicle at the bulge, a known stem cell niche. Recent studies have been directed toward this muscle's possible role in maintaining the follicular integrity and stability. This review summarizes APM anatomy and physiology and then discusses the relationship between the follicular unit and the APM. The potential role of the APM in hair loss disorders is also described, and a model explaining APM changes in hair loss is proposed. |
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