The outermost layer of hair is the

• A. Cortex
• B. Cuticle
• C. Medulla
• D. Follicle

Answer: (B)

The outermost protective layer of the hair is the cuticle. It’s made up of flat, scale-like cells that overlap like roof shingles, forming the outer shield of the hair shaft. This layer controls moisture balance, protects the inner layers, and influences how the hair reflects light, contributing to smoothness and shine when it lays flat. Beneath the cuticle lies the cortex, which provides most of the hair’s strength and color, and in some hair types there’s a central medulla, which is not present in all hairs and doesn’t affect the outer surface. The follicle, meanwhile, is the living structure in the skin from which the hair grows, not a part of the hair shaft itself.