Hair Follicle Anatomy

Anatomy of a follicle a hair follicle is a tunnel shaped structure in the epidermis outer layer of the skin. The hair follicle begins at the surface of the epidermis.

Hair Anatomy Physiology Wikivet English

Though there are several parts making up the anatomy of human hair it has predominantly two separate structures the follicle in the skin that makes the hair and the shaft of the hair itself.

Hair follicle anatomy. A hair follicle anchors each hair into the skin. Hair starts growing at the bottom of a hair follicle. Hair follicle development is related to the interactions between epithelial and mesenchymal cells.

The hair follicle is a dynamic organ found in mammalian skin. One of the main functions of hair is to act as a sensitive touch receptor. For follicles that produce terminal hairs the hair follicle extends into the deep dermis and sometimes even subcutis.

The hair bulb forms the base of the hair follicle. It resides in the dermal layer of the skin and is made up of 20 different cell types each with distinct functions. Its a stocking like structure that contains cells and connective tissue.

Hairs take birth in a sac like structure called a hair follicle that surrounds the hair root and is found below the skin. The root of the hair is made up. In the hair bulb living cells divide and grow.

The hair follicle serves as a reservoir for epithelial and melanocyte stem cells and it is capable of being one of the few immune privileged sites of human body. Sebaceous glands surrounding the hair follicle secrete sebum and oils into the hair follicle canal. Hair anatomy hair grows from hair follicles situated within the fatty layer of the scalp.

The hair follicle regulates hair growth via a complex interaction between hormones neuropeptides and immune cells. Hair is made of a tough protein called keratin. It contains tiny blood vessels capillaries that nourish the cells.

The papilla exists at the base of the hair follicle. Bending the hair stimulates the nerve endings allowing a person to feel that the hair has been moved. Contrary to the popular belief that hair grows as single strands hair follicles actually grow in groups of 1 4 hairs called follicular units.

At the base of each hair follicle is a hair bulb where the growth mechanisms for producing hair occurs. Meanwhile follicles producing vellus hairs extend only to the upper reticular dermis. The hair follicle is the living part of the hair.

Overview at the base of the hair follicle are sensory nerve fibers that wrap around each hair bulb. The average human head has about 100000 hair follicles. The follicle also contains the germinal matrix which is where cells produce new hairs.

Longitudinal Section Of Hair Follicle Canvas Print