PSI Barbering Practice Exam

What is the term for the tube-like depression or pocket in the skin or scalp that contains the hair root?

1. Hair follicle

2. Dermal papilla

3. Hair bulb

4. Hair shaft

The correct answer is: Hair follicle

The term for the tube-like depression or pocket in the skin or scalp that contains the hair root is indeed "hair follicle." The hair follicle serves as the anchoring structure for hair and is integral to the hair growth process. It is where the hair root is located, surrounded by connective tissue and the hair bulb, which houses the matrix cells that produce new hair cells. The hair follicle structure is essential for hair health and growth because it is connected to sebaceous glands that provide oils to keep the hair and scalp moisturized. Understanding the function and anatomy of hair follicles is critical for anyone pursuing a career in barbering or cosmetology, as it influences hair care practices, styling, and overall scalp health. The other options refer to different parts of the hair structure: the dermal papilla is the small, nipple-like structure at the base of the hair follicle that provides nourishment and signals for hair growth; the hair bulb is the expanded lower part of the hair follicle where hair growth begins; and the hair shaft is the visible part of the hair that extends above the skin. Each of these components plays a role in hair anatomy and growth, but the term specifically for the tube-like depression is the hair follicle.