Research overview: feline vibrissae and the sense of touch

Whiskers, or vibrissae, are specialized tactile hairs that give cats a high-resolution sense of touch crucial for navigation and hunting. This overview surveys the types and distribution of feline vibrissae, including the prominent mystacial whiskers on the muzzle and additional whiskers above the eyes, on the cheeks, and on the back of the forelegs. Each whisker is rooted in a richly innervated follicle that detects tiny deflections, turning physical contact and air movement into detailed sensory information. The survey frames vibrissae as a distinct sensory modality complementing vision and hearing, especially valuable in darkness and at close range where the cat's eyes cannot focus. It introduces the themes developed in related entries: follicle anatomy, biomechanics, prey handling, and gap detection. Understanding the whisker system reveals how much of a cat's perception of its immediate surroundings comes through touch rather than sight.