Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small tubular cavity in the skin: A hair follicle is a tiny, tube-like structure in the skin that surrounds and holds the root of a hair strand.
   • A structure associated with hair growth: It is the organ from which a hair grows and is connected to small muscles (arrector pili) and oil-producing sebaceous glands.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Each hair on your body grows from a hair follicle.
  • The dermatologist explained that the infection had started in a blocked hair follicle.
  • Healthy hair follicles are essential for strong hair growth.

Advanced Usage

• "Follicular" (adj): Pertaining to or involving a follicle.
  • She was diagnosed with a follicular disorder.
• In medical/biological context: Often discussed in relation to conditions like folliculitis (inflammation of the hair follicle), hair follicle cycles (anagen, catagen, telogen), and stem cells present in the follicle bulge.

Variants and Related Words

• Follicle (n): A general term for a small cavity or sac. A hair follicle is a specific type.
• Follicular (adj): Of or relating to a follicle or follicles.
• Pilosebaceous unit (n): A term sometimes used to describe the structure comprising the hair follicle and its associated sebaceous gland.

Synonyms

• Pore (in common, but imprecise usage; a pore is a general opening, while a follicle is a specific sac-like structure).
• Hair root sheath.

Related Phrases

• Hair follicle transplant: A surgical technique for hair restoration.
• To clog a hair follicle: A phrase describing how dirt or oil can block the opening.
• Hair follicle damage: Damage to this structure, which can inhibit hair growth.

Related Idioms

• : While not directly about the follicle, this idiom about neatness relates to the hair that grows from it.
• : This reaction is caused by the tiny muscles (arrector pili) attached to hair follicles contracting.

Noun

1. a small tubular cavity containing the root of a hair; small muscles and sebaceous glands are associated with them