Prepare for the Utah Esthetics Written State Exam. Discover essential study materials, detailed explanations, and practice questions. Master the exam with ease!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


What is the scientific term for a hair follicle?

  1. Pilosebaceous unit

  2. Follicular unit

  3. Hair bulb

  4. Dermal papilla

The correct answer is: Pilosebaceous unit

The scientific term for a hair follicle is the pilosebaceous unit. This term refers to the structure that encompasses the hair follicle itself, as well as the sebaceous gland and associated piloerector muscle. The pilosebaceous unit plays a crucial role in hair growth and maintenance, connecting the hair to the skin and allowing for the secretion of oil that conditions the hair and skin. Other choices relate to components or aspects of hair anatomy but do not define the hair follicle specifically. The follicular unit refers more broadly to a group of hair follicles and their surrounding tissue. The hair bulb is the lower part of the hair follicle where hair growth occurs, while the dermal papilla is a structure at the base of the hair follicle that supplies nutrients and signals necessary for hair production. Each of these components plays significant roles in hair physiology, but none represent the hair follicle as comprehensively as the pilosebaceous unit.