This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Go to /pro/cpd-dashboard page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. CPD dashboard

Go to /account/subscription-details page

This page is worth 0.05 CPD credits. Upgrade to Pro

Hair

Authoring team

Hair is an keratinized, epidermal, thread-like appendage which grows down into the dermis. It is found on most skin surfaces except:

  • palmar surface of hand
  • plantar surface of feet
  • lips
  • urogenital orofices
  • penis

In Man, hair has a role as a secondary sexual characteristic under the control of sex hormones e.g. in males, growth of facial terminal hairs at time of puberty and regression of hairline with age. The heat-insulating role of fur in lower animals has been lost in Man.

There are three types of hair:

  • lanugo: fetal hair
  • vellus: replace lanugo hairs in the peripartum period, unmedullated
  • terminal hairs: long, coarse, medullated; typified by scalp and pubic regions

Further, the amount and form of hair varies between races e.g. straight hair in Asians, relatively greater density of hair in those of Mediterranean extraction.


Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.