TACTILE HAIR Meaning and
Definition
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Tactile hair refers to the specialized sensory hair or vibrissae found in certain animals, particularly mammals. These hairs are extremely sensitive and are often found in clusters on different parts of an animal's body, such as the muzzle, around the eyes, or on the legs. Tactile hairs serve as a heightened sensory organ and play a crucial role in an animal's perception of its environment, assisting in navigation, hunting, and social interactions.
The structure of tactile hair is different from regular fur or hair as it is densely innervated by sensory nerve cells, allowing it to detect even the slightest movements or changes in air currents. These hairs are often longer, thicker, and more rigid than other body hairs, providing a greater degree of mechanical sensitivity.
When an animal encounters an object or an obstacle, the tactile hairs bend or vibrate in response, triggering a sensory response in the associated nerve cells. This sensory information is then sent to the animal's central nervous system, where it is processed and interpreted, aiding in the perception of the animal's surroundings.
Tactile hairs are well-developed in many mammals that rely on their sense of touch, such as cats, rodents, and seals. These animals often employ their whiskers or other tactile hairs to explore their environment, navigate through narrow spaces, detect prey, or locate obstacles. The presence of tactile hair enhances an animal's overall awareness and adaptability, enabling them to interact with their surroundings effectively.
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A hair having the function of an end-organ, as one of a cat's whiskers.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for TACTILE HAIR
- ractile hair
- factile hair
- gactile hair
- yactile hair
- 6actile hair
- 5actile hair
- tzctile hair
- tsctile hair
- twctile hair
- tqctile hair
- taxtile hair
- tavtile hair
- taftile hair
- tadtile hair
- tacrile hair
- tacfile hair
- tacgile hair
- tacyile hair
- tac6ile hair
- tac5ile hair
Etymology of TACTILE HAIR
The term "tactile hair" is not a commonly used phrase, and as such, it does not have a specific etymology. However, we can break down the origins of the individual words that make up this phrase.
1. Tactile: The word "tactile" originates from the Latin word "tactilis", which means "tangible" or "perceptible to the touch". It entered the English language in the mid-17th century, derived from the Latin word "tangere", meaning "to touch".
2. Hair: The word "hair" traces its roots back to the Old English word "hær", which means "hair" or "covering of the head", and can be found in various Germanic languages.
As for the combination of these words, "tactile hair" can be interpreted as hair that evokes a sensory response when touched.
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