Facial morphology and vibrissal movement in the golden hamster

The major cranial vibrissae in the golden hamster can be moved in complex ways that suggest they are served by a finely controlled motor system. Movements are hypothesized to be the products of (1) differential blood flow and pressure regulation in the sinus surrounding each vibrissal follicle, (2) contractions of the striated facial muscles, and (3) elastic rebound in the connective tissues. The vasculature contributes hydrostatic forces that (a) erect the vibrissae slightly and distort their connective tissue bedding, (b) rigidify the vibrissal capsules, thus forming firm bases of attachment for certain facial muscles, and (c) theoretically provide a pressure plate around the follicle, important in lowering the firing thresholds of receptor endings. The facial muscles supply the major forces in erection and protraction of the vibrissae by acting on both the capsules and the connective tissue bedding. The connective tissues are organized into capsular and extracapsular systems that serve to stabilize the vibrissae and return them to initial rest positions.

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