hair follicle

American  

noun

Anatomy.

1. a small cavity in the epidermis and corium of the skin, from which a hair develops.

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hair follicle British  

noun

1. a narrow tubular cavity that contains the root of a hair, formed by an infolding of the epidermis and corium of the skin

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Etymology

Origin of hair follicle

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

It helps reduce the effects of dihydrotestosterone, a hormone linked to follicle shrinkage, while also protecting hair follicle cells from premature cell death.

From Science Daily • Feb. 9, 2026

To do that, these hair follicle stem cells first enter a pliable state in which they temporarily express the transcription factors of both types of stem cells, hair and epidermis.

From Science Daily • Mar. 7, 2024

Keratin microsphere gel, consisting of keratin-based microspheres that swell in water to form a gel, has shown efficacy in promoting hair follicle growth in murine models.

From Science Daily • Feb. 29, 2024

The research team's future work aims to extend that period, allowing the hair follicle to mature further and paving the way for their use in drug testing and skin grafts.

From Science Daily • Nov. 15, 2023

Had he known that every boil owed its origin to pus bacteria, which had infected a sweat gland or hair follicle, the treatment would probably have been more efficacious.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 810, July 11, 1891 by Various