Cuticle (hair) explained

thumb|right|Comparison of sheep (top) and human (bottom) hairs with different cuticle textures

The hair cuticle is the outermost part of the hair shaft.^[1] It is formed from dead cells, overlapping in layers, which form scales that strengthen and protect the hair shaft.^{[2] [3]}

thumb|right|Diagram of the hair shaft, indicating medulla (innermost), cortex, and cuticle (exterior)

While the cuticle is the outermost layer, it is not responsible for the color of the hair. Melanin is the pigment that gives hair its color and is found in the cortex.^[4]

See also

• List of distinct cell types in the adult human body

Notes and References

1. James, William; Berger, Timothy; Elston, Dirk (2005) Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology (10th ed.). Saunders. Page 8. .
2. Web site: Hair! . Worsleyschool.net . 2016-06-13.
3. Encyclopedia: Hair . British Medical Association Complete Family Health Encyclopedia . 1990 . Dorling Kindersley Limited .
4. Web site: Hair biology - hair fiber . Keratin.com . 2013-08-18 . 2020-08-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200801091759/https://www.keratin.com/aa/aa024.shtml . dead .