Abstract
In the last century, human scalp hair morphology has been studied from multiple, and sometimes mutually exclusive, perspectives by anthropologists, biologists, geneticists, forensic scientists, and cosmetic scientists. Here, we review and synthesize historical and current research on hair to better understand the scientific basis and biological implications of hair microstructure and morphology. We revisit the origins of existing nomenclature regarding hair morphology and classifications, discuss the currently recognized limitations to hair analysis within the varied scientific disciplines studying hair, point out aspects of hair biology that remain unknown, and the great potential for integrating these diverse perspectives and expertise in future scientific investigations, while highlighting the benefits of combining nondestructive microscopical analysis with chemical and genomic analyses for explicating hair biology. Further, we propose consensus terminology for root growth stages through descriptions and images that will aid in the morphological and microscopical analysis of human scalp hair, thereby reducing confusion and the promulgation of inaccurate information that is presently in the literature.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Article number | e23316 |
| Journal | American Journal of Human Biology |
| DOIs | |
| State | Accepted/In press - Jan 1 2019 |
Fingerprint
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Anatomy
- Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
- Anthropology
- Genetics
Cite this
}
The biology of human hair : A multidisciplinary review. / Koch, Sandra L.; Tridico, Silvana R.; Bernard, Bruno A.; Shriver, Mark; Jablonski, Nina G.
In: American Journal of Human Biology, 01.01.2019.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article
TY - JOUR
T1 - The biology of human hair
T2 - A multidisciplinary review
AU - Koch, Sandra L.
AU - Tridico, Silvana R.
AU - Bernard, Bruno A.
AU - Shriver, Mark
AU - Jablonski, Nina G.
PY - 2019/1/1
Y1 - 2019/1/1
N2 - In the last century, human scalp hair morphology has been studied from multiple, and sometimes mutually exclusive, perspectives by anthropologists, biologists, geneticists, forensic scientists, and cosmetic scientists. Here, we review and synthesize historical and current research on hair to better understand the scientific basis and biological implications of hair microstructure and morphology. We revisit the origins of existing nomenclature regarding hair morphology and classifications, discuss the currently recognized limitations to hair analysis within the varied scientific disciplines studying hair, point out aspects of hair biology that remain unknown, and the great potential for integrating these diverse perspectives and expertise in future scientific investigations, while highlighting the benefits of combining nondestructive microscopical analysis with chemical and genomic analyses for explicating hair biology. Further, we propose consensus terminology for root growth stages through descriptions and images that will aid in the morphological and microscopical analysis of human scalp hair, thereby reducing confusion and the promulgation of inaccurate information that is presently in the literature.
AB - In the last century, human scalp hair morphology has been studied from multiple, and sometimes mutually exclusive, perspectives by anthropologists, biologists, geneticists, forensic scientists, and cosmetic scientists. Here, we review and synthesize historical and current research on hair to better understand the scientific basis and biological implications of hair microstructure and morphology. We revisit the origins of existing nomenclature regarding hair morphology and classifications, discuss the currently recognized limitations to hair analysis within the varied scientific disciplines studying hair, point out aspects of hair biology that remain unknown, and the great potential for integrating these diverse perspectives and expertise in future scientific investigations, while highlighting the benefits of combining nondestructive microscopical analysis with chemical and genomic analyses for explicating hair biology. Further, we propose consensus terminology for root growth stages through descriptions and images that will aid in the morphological and microscopical analysis of human scalp hair, thereby reducing confusion and the promulgation of inaccurate information that is presently in the literature.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85071761353&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85071761353&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/ajhb.23316
DO - 10.1002/ajhb.23316
M3 - Review article
C2 - 31479564
AN - SCOPUS:85071761353
JO - American Journal of Human Biology
JF - American Journal of Human Biology
SN - 1042-0533
M1 - e23316
ER -