Piloerection
Piloerection
Piloerection (pronounced: /ˌpaɪloʊ.ɪˈrɛkʃən/), also known as goosebumps or goose pimples, is a physiological phenomenon in which the body's hair follicles contract, causing the hairs to stand on end.
Etymology
The term "piloerection" is derived from the Latin words 'pilus' meaning 'hair' and 'erectio' meaning 'rising up'. It is often colloquially referred to as "goosebumps" due to the resemblance of the skin's appearance to that of a plucked goose.
Function
Piloerection is a response to various stimuli, including cold temperatures and emotional states such as fear, surprise, or arousal. It is controlled by the autonomic nervous system, which regulates involuntary body functions. In animals, piloerection can serve as a defense mechanism, making the creature appear larger to potential predators.
Related Terms
- Autonomic nervous system: The part of the nervous system responsible for control of the bodily functions not consciously directed, such as breathing, the heartbeat, and digestive processes.
- Hair follicle: A mammalian skin organ that produces hair.
- Goosebumps: A state in which the hair follicles contract, causing the hairs to stand up, typically in response to cold or fear.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Piloerection
- Wikipedia's article - Piloerection
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski