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The coat
Structure of hairs
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and more detailled |
The sebaceous gland produces the natural oily film covering
each single hair.
The Musculi arrectores erect the hairs which becomes visible
when the cat "struggles the hair".
In the papilla there are located important cells called
Melanocytes responsible
for the production of the pigment Melanin.
In a cross section you can see 3 layers:
 | Cuticle (Cuticula) |
| Cortex
here are located the pigments causing coloring |
| Marrow (= Medulla)
This is well structured in cats, in humans it is rather unorganized. |
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| Root of the hair in
humans |
Rout of the hair in
cats |
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Marrow in humans
randomly organized |
Marrow in cats
regularly spindle-shaped structured |
Types of hairs
| Long hair
for example the ruff |
| Top coat
usually consists of
| guard hairs which are longer than the |
| awn hairs |
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| Downy hair (vellus hair)
undercoat |
| Bristles, very stiff hairs
eyelashes, vibrissae (whiskers),
hair cells in the Organ of Corti |
The guard hairs are usually longer and stiffer than the awn hairs,
and they are water repellent.
The awn hairs are the main part of the top coat and serve as
isolation.
Simple coat
This coat has one type of top coat, awn hairs or guard hairs,
without any downy hairs.
For example: Korat
Double coat
The two outermost layers (awn hairs and guard hairs) are of even
length.
For example: Russian Blue, Manx.
Morphologic classification
| Longhair
| Semi-longhair |
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| Shorthair |
Longhair has been bred selectively from semi-longhair.
Functions of the hair
The hairs
| isolate against cold |
| reduce friction of the skin |
| protect against light rays (UV-rays) |
| regulate the humidity (sweating) |
The Sphynx which is said to be without hairs has a fine down.
© katzenzeitung 2/2007 |
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