Comparison of sheep (top) and human (bottom) hairs with different cuticle textures
The hair cuticle is the outermost part of the
hair shaft.
[James, William; Berger, Timothy; Elston, Dirk (2005) ''Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology'' (10th ed.). Saunders. Page 8. .] It is formed from dead
cells, overlapping in layers, which form scales that strengthen and protect the hair shaft. These layers are formed of keratin proteins.
The hair cuticle is also known to contain
anteiso-18-methyleicosanoic acid which contribute to the hydrophobic properties of hair.
While the
cuticle is the outermost layer, it is not responsible for the
color of the hair.
Melanin is the
pigment
A pigment is a powder used to add or alter color or change visual appearance. Pigments are completely or nearly solubility, insoluble and reactivity (chemistry), chemically unreactive in water or another medium; in contrast, dyes are colored sub ...
that gives hair its color and is found in the
cortex.
See also
*
List of distinct cell types in the adult human body
References
Hair anatomy
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