1.0Glossaryhttps://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/glossaryGlossaryhttps://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/glossary/author/adminglossary/rich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="t8oZNFOyqi"><a href="https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/glossary/hair/">Hair</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/glossary/hair/embed/#?secret=t8oZNFOyqi" width="600" height="338" title="“Hair” — Glossary" data-secret="t8oZNFOyqi" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script> /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(d,l){"use strict";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!/[^a-zA-Z0-9]/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),c=new RegExp("^https?:$","i"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display="none";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute("style"),"height"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):"link"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute("src")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener("message",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll("iframe.wp-embedded-content"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute("data-secret"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+="#?secret="+t,e.setAttribute("data-secret",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:"ready",secret:t},"*")},!1)))}(window,document); //# sourceURL=https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/glossary/wp-includes/js/wp-embed.min.js </script> An outgrowth of the epidermis consisting of one or more elongated cells; a type of trichome, as are bristles and scales.A fine hair-like protuberance from the surface of a leaf, stem, bract, flower or fruit. Plant hairs come in many shapes, sizes, textures and orientations. Together they make up the indumentum of a plant surface, which may be described by a variety of terms, for example, pubescent, tomentose, pilose, hispid, sericeous, lanuginose—sometimes even in plain English words, for example, woolly, silky, velvety.Threadlike, keratin- containing appendage of the outer layer of the skin present over most of the body surface except the palms, soles, lips, and a few other small areas. A hair develops inside a tubular hair follicle beneath the skin, with the root of the hair expanded into a bulb. The part above the skin consists of an outer cuticle that covers the cortex, which contains pigment and gives the hair its color, and an inner medulla. A hair may be raised by small arrector pili muscles attached to the follicle. Also called pilus.Long, slender, threadlike filaments that grow from the skin. Made of a protein called keratin, hair on the head shields the scalp and head from temperature extremes and conserves heat. Hair also grows on the entire skin surface, where it helps prevent microbes or foreign matter from entering the skin.A threadlike keratinized outgrowth of the epidermis of the skin. It develops inside a tubular hair follicle. The part above the skin consists of three layers: an outer cuticle; a cortex, forming the bulk of the hair and containing the pigment that gives the hair its color; and a central core (medulla), which may be hollow. The root of the hair, beneath the surface of the skin, is expanded at its base to form the bulb, which contains a matrix of dividing cells. As new cells are formed the older ones are pushed upward and become keratinized to form the root and shaft. A hair may be raised by a small erector muscle in the dermis, attached to the hair follicle.A keratinized, threadlike outgrowth from the skin of mammals.A slender, threadlike structure made up of dead cells containing keratin, a fibrous protein.The base of every hair is lodged within a small pit in the inner layer of the skin known as a hair follicle. Each hair shaft is comprised of a spongy semi-hollow core called the medulla, encompassed by a layer of long, thin fibers referred to as the cortex. The outermost layer consists of several overlapping cells known as the cuticle.During the growth phase of a hair, the root is enveloped by tissue known as a bulb, which provides the hair with keratin. This bulb appears as a pale swelling that can sometimes be observed when a hair is pulled out. The hair is formed by the upgrowth of dead cells and keratin from the root. After the hair growth cycle is complete, the bulb withdraws from the root, and the hair eventually sheds.Hair plays a role in the regulation of body temperature, known as thermoregulation. When the body is cold, the erector pili muscles in the skin contract, causing the hairs to stand upright and forming goosebumps. These erect hairs create an insulating layer of air next to the skin, helping to retain heat and keep the body warm.There are three types of human hair. During the fourth month of gestation, the fetus is covered with fine, downy hair known as lanugo, which is shed by the ninth month. After birth and until puberty, most of the body is covered with vellus hair, which is fine, short, and colorless. The third type, terminal hair, is thicker, longer, and often pigmented. It grows on the scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes. During puberty, terminal hair replaces vellus in the pubic area and armpits. In most men and some women, this process continues on the face, limbs, and trunk.Hair color is determined by the quantity of a pigment called melanin present in the hair shaft. Melanin is produced by melanocytes, which are cells located at the base of the hair follicle. Red melanin results in red and auburn hair, while black melanin contributes to all other hair colors. If the cells receive no pigment, the hair cortex becomes transparent, giving the hair a white appearance. Additionally, the degree of curliness in hair is influenced by the shape of the hair follicle's cross-section.Brittle hair can result from various factors such as excessive styling, hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland), or severe vitamin and mineral deficiencies. On the other hand, very dry hair can be caused by malnutrition. Ingrown hairs happen when the tip of a hair grows into the skin near the hair follicle, leading to inflammation.