What is located at the base of the hair follicle?

The hair bulb is located at the base of the hair follicle and plays a crucial role in hair growth. It is an expanded structure that houses the cells responsible for producing hair, known as keratinocytes. These cells divide and differentiate, contributing to the formation of the hair shaft that eventually grows out of the follicle. Additionally, the hair bulb contains melanin-producing cells, which give hair its color. The presence of blood vessels in the bulb also provides nutrients necessary for hair growth.

The hair shaft is the visible part of the hair that projects above the skin. The hair root refers to the part of the hair that is anchored in the follicle but does not encompass the bulb itself. The hair follicle is the structure that surrounds the entire hair root and bulb, providing support and protection but is not specifically at the base of the follicle. Understanding the function and structure of the hair bulb is essential for comprehending how hair growth occurs and the biological processes involved.