alae of collagen and cuticulin-based cuticle extracellular matrix
alae of collagen and cuticulin-based cuticle extracellular matrix
"Raised, thickened cuticular ridges that run longitudinally, and in parallel, along the left and right sides of the animal. The alae lie above the hypodermal cells known as the lateral seam cells. In C. elegans, alae are produced in L1 larvae, dauer larvae and adult stage animals, where they consist of three, five, and three ridges of distinct morphology, respectively."