Hair Root

Hair root

The hair root (radix pili, lnh; synonym hair root) is the part of the hair that is located under the skin. The hair root is located in the hair follicle - a depression in the dermis (skin).

The hair follicle consists of two parts:

1. The top part is the protrusion above the skin where the hair shaft enters.

2. The lower part is the hair root, which protrudes into the dermis.

The root grows into the actual hair (dermal) papilla, rich in blood vessels. This is where the hair gets its nutrition. The hair papilla also contains pigment cells that color the hair.

Hair growth occurs at the bottom of the follicle, where the root is located. As hair cells grow, they are pushed toward the surface of the skin, forming the hair shaft. Thus, the hair root is its growing and nourishing part, ensuring hair reproduction.