Washington Cosmetology License Practice Exam

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What is the term for the hair structure that contains the pigment?

Cuticle
Cortex
Medulla
Follicle

The correct answer is: Cortex

The correct term for the hair structure that contains the pigment is the cortex. The cortex is the thickest layer of the hair shaft and is responsible for providing strength, color, and texture to the hair. This layer contains the melanin granules, which are the pigments that give hair its color, ranging from black to blonde and every shade in between. The cuticle, which is the outermost layer, serves as a protective barrier but does not contain pigment. The medulla, found at the center of the hair shaft, may or may not be present in all hairs and does not play a significant role in color. The follicle is the structure in the scalp or skin from which the hair grows, but it does not itself contain pigment. Thus, the cortex is the layer where the pigmentation occurs, making it the correct answer.