What is the term for the part of the hair that projects from the skin?

• A. Follicle
• B. Shaft
• C. Root
• D. Bulb

Answer: (B)

The term for the part of the hair that projects from the skin is the shaft. The shaft is the visible part of the hair that extends above the scalp and is composed of keratin, a protein that gives hair its strength and structure. Unlike the root, which is embedded in the hair follicle beneath the skin's surface, the shaft is fully external and is what we commonly see and interact with.

The follicle refers to the structure from which the hair grows and includes the living part of the hair, particularly the root and bulb. The root is located below the surface of the skin and is surrounded by the follicle, while the bulb is the base of the hair root where cell division occurs to produce new hair. Thus, while all these components are essential for hair growth, the shaft specifically denotes the portion that is visible above the skin.