Chapter V: The Integument. Integumentum Commune

The skin of the cat consists of the usual two layers, the outer =epidermis= and the inner fibrous =corium=. The skin is particularly thick and tough about the sides of the neck and face.

The skin is covered almost completely with fine soft hairs. Only the end of the nose, the pads on the soles of the feet, and the nipples are without hair. A number of long stiff sensory hairs (vibrissæ) are found on the upper lip, the cheek, and above the upper eyelid.

The pads on the soles of the feet are cushion-like projections of skin, composed largely of connective and elastic tissue and fat. There is one large pad for each foot, and in addition a small pad for each digit. The fore limb has besides a small conical pad which is situated almost exactly over the pisiform bone.

The =nails= are horny outgrowths of the epidermis, covering the distal phalanges.

The =muscles= of the skin are the cutaneus maximus and platysma; these have been described (page 93). The superficial facial muscles are differentiations of the skin-muscles.