part of cuticular extracellular matrix alae of collagen and cuticulin-based cuticle extracellular matrix alae of collagen and cuticulin-based exoskeleton 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. GO:0060111 cellular_component cellular anatomical structure