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The skin of primates. XLI. The skin of the silver marmoset— Callithrix (= Mico ) Argentata

1969; Wiley; Volume: 30; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1002/ajpa.1330300306

1096-8644

Edwin Perkins,

Dermatology and Skin Diseases

Abstract The skin of the silver marmoset, Callithrix (= Mico) argentata Linnaeus, has many outstanding characteristics. The unusually thin epidermis and dermis are generally devoid of melanotic melanocytes. The surface of the interramal gular region is peppered with small, elevated papillae; that of the corpus penis is characterized by keratinized, proximally directed hollow spines in whose cavities are organized nerve end‐organs and capillary loops. Cholinesterase‐reactive papillary nerve end‐organs and Meissner corpuscles populate all volar friction surfaces. A highly vascular dermis and subcutaneous fat pad partially contribute to the characteristic rubicund color of the face, external ears, and anogenital region. Many body surface hairs are accompanied by the classic Haarscheibe of Pinkus. Sinus hairs are plentiful; a circumscribed vibrissa‐bearing eminence is located on the ventral ulnar aspect of each wrist. Alkaline phosphatase‐positive, stellate‐shaped cells are found on the outer root sheath and epithelial sac of active and quiescent hairs in all cephalic regions; such cells are not argyrophilic, aurophilic, or osmiophilic. Hairs grow in linear perfect sets of 3 to 5 follicles; they do not grow singly on the cheek. Large sebaceous glands contain alkaline phosphatase in their peripheral acini; extensive fields of gigantic multilobular sebaceous glands contribute to the distinct, opaque‐white color of the scrotal skin. Numbers of apocrine sweat glands are diminished in cephalic regions but one gland occurs with each hair follicle in the axilla, scrotum, suprapubic region, and ulnar eminence. Relatively avascular eccrine sweat glands are confined to the volar friction surfaces. Their secretory coils contain sporadically distributed glycogen and phosphorylase and surrounding nerves are much more reactive for acetyl‐ than butyrylcholinesterase.