The panniculus carnosus muscle: an evolutionary enigma at the intersection of distinct research fields |
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| Authors: | Adolfo López de Munain Karl J A McCullagh Ander Izeta |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Neuroscience Area, Instituto Biodonostia, San Sebastian, Spain;2. CIBERNED, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain;3. Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, UPV‐EHU, San Sebastian, Spain;4. Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Donostia, San Sebastian, Spain;5. Department of Physiology, Human Biology Building, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland;6. Regenerative Medicine Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland;7. Tissue Engineering Group, Bioengineering Area, Instituto Biodonostia, San Sebastian, Spain;8. Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Tecnun‐University of Navarra, San Sebastian, Spain |
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| Abstract: | The panniculus carnosus is a thin striated muscular layer intimately attached to the skin and fascia of most mammals, where it provides skin twitching and contraction functions. In humans, the panniculus carnosus is conserved at sparse anatomical locations with high interindividual variability, and it is considered of no functional significance (most possibly being a remnant of evolution). Diverse research fields (such as anatomy, dermatology, myology, neuroscience, surgery, veterinary science) use this unique muscle as a model, but several unknowns and misconceptions remain in the literature. In this article, we review what is currently known about panniculus carnosus structure, development, anatomical location, response to environmental stimuli and potential function(s), with the aim of putting together the evidence arising from the different research communities and raising interest in this unique muscle, which we postulate as an ideal model for both vascular and muscular research. |
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| Keywords: | cutaneous maximus muscle cutaneous muscle cutaneous trunci musculus cutaneous subcutaneous muscle superficial fascia system |
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