Innervation and Vasculature of the Hair Follicle

Abstract

Perifollicular nerve endings have been recognized for a long time, either by silver impregnation methods {(Szymonowicz} 1909; Weddell et al. 1955; Winkelmann 1959; Miller et al. 1960; Straile 1960; Seto 1963; Montagna et al. 1964; Mann 1968) or by histochemical techniques {(Winkelmann} 1968; Montagna and Parakkal 1974). These light microscopic studies revealed that human hairs, particularly vellus hairs, are richly endowed with networks of nerves. It was also found that the heaviest concentration of the nerve network encircles the follicle at the level of the sebaceous gland {(Figs.} 1–3).