Hair is anchored to skin cells by the ________.

• A. Dermal papilla
• B. Sebaceous gland
• C. Follicular canal
• D. Hair root

Answer: (D)

Hair is anchored to skin by the hair root, the portion that stays inside the hair follicle. The root is embedded in the follicle and connected to the growing hair matrix, securing the hair to the surrounding skin as it grows. The dermal papilla at the base provides nutrients, the sebaceous gland lubricates the hair, and the follicular canal is simply the passage the hair uses to emerge, but the physical anchor is the root within the follicle.