Virginia Barber Practice Exam

Name the three primary sections of the hair.

1. Root, shaft, and tip

2. Cuticle, cortex, and medulla

3. Scalp, hairline, and ends

4. Top, mid, and bottom

The correct answer is: Cuticle, cortex, and medulla

The correct choice identifies the three primary sections of hair as the cuticle, cortex, and medulla. Understanding these sections is fundamental in the study of hair structure. The cuticle is the outermost layer, consisting of overlapping, scale-like cells that protect the inner layers of the hair shaft. This layer plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the hair and can be affected by various external factors like heat and chemical treatments. The cortex is the middle layer, which provides strength, color, and texture to the hair. It contains fibrous proteins and melanin, the pigment responsible for hair color. The health and structure of the cortex are essential for the overall aesthetics and durability of the hair. The medulla is the innermost layer and is often absent in finer hair types. It may contribute to the overall volume and density of the hair shaft, but its exact function is still a topic of research. In contrast, the other options do not represent the accurate sections of hair. For example, the terms "root, shaft, and tip" refer more to general hair anatomy rather than specific structural layers, while "scalp, hairline, and ends" discuss external regions rather than internal structure. Lastly, "top, mid