Giant Compound Hair Follicles in the Skin of the Rabbit

Abstract

THE hair of the rabbit grows from a compound follicle¹ which contains one large outercoat hair, a few smaller outercoat hairs of intermediate morphology and numerous fine undercoat hairs. The true compound nature of the follicle is best seen during the growth-phase, when the follicles extend into the dermis forming distinctive groups at their deepest level (Fig. 1). As the hair shafts reach the surface the compound follicle is subdivided by fibrous septa into smaller groups which surround the large outer-coat hair. Each of these smaller groups of undercoat hairs penetrate the skin through a common follicle opening, whereas the outercoat hair has a separate opening.