pilus

[L. pili, hairs]

In bacteria, filamentous appendages of which there may be hundreds on a single cell. One function of pili is to attach the bacterium to cells of the host; another is to conjugate bacteria with each other.

p. incarnati The condition of ingrowing hair, esp. in the beard area.

p. tactiles Sensitive or tactile hairs.

p. torti A condition in which hairs are broken and twisted.

p. trianguli et canaliculi A condition in which the hair shaft is triangular in cross section and often has a groove; seen in children with uncombable hair syndrome.

SEE: uncombable hair syndrome.