The cortex is the middle layer of a hair, located between the cuticle and the medulla. It constitutes the bulk of the hair substance and is composed of compressed, keratinized cells.
Here's a breakdown of the layers of a hair:
- Cuticle: The outermost layer, protecting the hair from damage.
- Cortex: The middle layer, providing strength and flexibility.
- Medulla: The innermost layer, which may not be present in all hairs.
The cortex plays a crucial role in determining hair color and texture. The pigments melanin and pheomelanin are found in the cortex, influencing the hair's shade. The shape and arrangement of the cortex's cells also affect the hair's texture, such as straight, curly, or wavy.
References:
- Dorland, 2011: The cortex is the middle layer of a hair, constituting the bulk of the hair substance, surrounded by the hair cuticle and often enclosing a small hair medulla.
- Accessory Structures of the Skin | Anatomy and Physiology I: The medulla forms the central core of the hair, which is surrounded by the cortex, a layer of compressed, keratinized cells that is covered by an outer...
