Hair is a filamentous structure made of keratin, a protein, that grows from follicles located in the skin. Each strand of hair consists of a shaft (the visible part above the skin) and a root (embedded within the follicle). Hair serves various roles, including protection, sensory input, and aesthetic functions. The color, texture, and length

Basic hair structure explained. Learn how all parts of the hair follicle and layers of the hair shaft function together with diagrams.

Hair texture (straight, curly) is determined by the shape and structure of the cortex, and to the extent that it is present, the medulla. The shape and structure of these layers are, in turn, determined by the shape of the hair follicle.

hair can be defined as a slender, thread-like outgrowth from a follicle in the skin of mammals. Composed mainly of keratin, it has three morphological regions—the cuticle, medulla, and cortex. These regions are illustrated in Figure 1 with some of the basic structures found in them.

3.2. Structure of the hair. Hair is consisted of two distinct structures: follicle—the living part located under the skin and hair shaft—fully keratinized nonliving part above the skin surface. The arrector pili muscle, takes place between the hair bulge area and dermoepidermal junction.