In hair anatomy, what are the three parts of the hair shaft?

• A. Cuticle, Cortex, Medulla
• B. Dermis, Epidermis, Subcutis
• C. Follicle, Root, Papilla
• D. Keratin, Melanin, Scale

Answer: (A)

The hair shaft has three distinct layers: cuticle, cortex, and medulla. The cuticle forms the outer protective covering with overlapping flat cells that shield the hair’s inner parts and influence surface smoothness. The cortex lies beneath and makes up most of the hair’s mass, containing keratin and pigment that determine strength, texture, and color. The medulla is the central core, providing additional structure; it’s present in thicker hairs and may be absent in very fine hair. This layered arrangement is specific to the shaft itself, whereas the other terms refer to skin layers, growth-related structures, or unrelated components. Hence, cuticle, cortex, and medulla correctly identify the three parts of the hair shaft.