CHS Anatomy of Skin & Hair 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the innermost layer of the hair shaft called?
- Cortex
- Cuticle
- Medulla (Correct answer)
- Matrix
Correct answer: Medulla
The medulla is the central core of the hair shaft, composed of loosely arranged cells and air spaces, and may be absent in fine hair.
Question 2: Which cells in the epidermis produce the pigment that protects against UV radiation?
- Keratinocytes
- Melanocytes (Correct answer)
- Langerhans cells
- Merkel cells
Correct answer: Melanocytes
Melanocytes in the basal layer of the epidermis synthesize melanin and transfer it to surrounding keratinocytes to protect DNA from UV damage.
Question 3: What is the technical term for the visible part of the hair above the skin surface?
- Hair root
- Hair follicle
- Hair shaft (Correct answer)
- Hair bulb
Correct answer: Hair shaft
The hair shaft is the portion of the hair that extends above the skin surface and is composed of the cuticle, cortex, and sometimes the medulla.
Question 4: The stratum granulosum layer of the epidermis is notable for containing which substance?
- Melanin granules
- Keratohyalin granules (Correct answer)
- Glycogen deposits
- Sebum vesicles
Correct answer: Keratohyalin granules
The stratum granulosum contains keratohyalin granules that play a critical role in the keratinization process as cells flatten and move toward the skin surface.
Question 5: During the catagen phase, what happens to the hair follicle?
- The follicle grows rapidly and deepens
- The follicle is shed from the scalp
- The follicle shrinks and detaches from the dermal papilla (Correct answer)
- The follicle becomes fully dormant with no cell activity
Correct answer: The follicle shrinks and detaches from the dermal papilla
During catagen (transitional phase lasting ~2–3 weeks), the follicle regresses, cell division stops, and the lower follicle detaches from the dermal papilla.
Question 6: Which type of sweat gland is found predominantly in the scalp and is associated with hair follicles?
- Eccrine gland
- Apocrine gland (Correct answer)
- Holocrine gland
- Merocrine gland
Correct answer: Apocrine gland
Apocrine glands are located in the scalp, axillae, and groin, and their ducts open into hair follicles rather than directly onto the skin surface.
Question 7: What structural feature of the hair cuticle gives healthy hair its natural sheen?
- Tightly overlapping, flat scale cells (Correct answer)
- Loosely arranged medullary cells
- Dense melanin deposits
- Abundant sebum coating the shaft
Correct answer: Tightly overlapping, flat scale cells
Healthy cuticle scales lie flat and tightly overlapping, reflecting light evenly to produce a smooth, shiny appearance.
CHS Anatomy of Skin & Hair 3
What is the innermost layer of the hair shaft called?